In Honor of One of My Favorite Holidays

Joe found some great Valentine cards from the 1930's at the swap and here is a sampling. I surmise that animal themes were big then. 

Next time, I'll post my favorite one! 

The International Printing Museum

I'd heard from many enthusiastic people about the International Printing Museum in Torrance but hadn't yet made a trip of my own.  Yesterday, I did. What an impressive place!

Located in an industrial park, there is plenty of room for all the vintage presses and cases of typeface. 

Many of the presses, no longer produced, are still in good running order.

This is an old fashioned newspaper printing press.

This operator is typing on an old linotype machine which sets rows of type.

Here, the crowd is watching the press operator print on a letterpress.

The International Printing Museum is open on Saturdays from 10 to 4. Tours are given to guests and you can also nose around on your own. There are many, many fascinating things to see. 

Last fall, the new Book Arts Institute moved in to one of the building on site. The Institute sponsors many excellent montly programs on printing, bookbinding, papermaking, and more. Yesterday's program was a collagraph demonstration by artist Sandy Cvar.

Vintage Optical Test

When viewing through a special lens, some people would see the dog positioned in mid jump halfway through the loop on the pig's back. So, proof that sometimes we all see differently...

Pacemaker: An Amazing Medical Device

My ninety-two year old Mother was experiencing bouts of blood pressure extremes so her doctors decided a pacemaker would help. On Monday afternoon, they installed the pacemaker with only a little local anesthetic. On Tuesday afternoon, Mom was released from the hospital and feeling good!

Would Love to Catch This Concert

The musical ensemble Pandemonium will play squonkaphones, instruments made from drain pipes, as well as tubes, bottles, whirly toys and traffic cones at UCLA this weekend. Bet it will be great! Remember the dance troup Stomp? Pandemonium is a related performance group.

The Marvelous PaperPro Stapler

I swear this is the best invention in years. Maybe in all time. It's a hydraulic stapler! No force required. Just tap the top and the PaperPro does the rest. This is the smallest version and it can handle up to 15 sheets with ease. Larger sizes are available. From Office Depot. Try it... you'll love it!