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Update #12: Rewards have shipped!
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Posted on December 28
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Update #11: The inaugural run video is online
It's hard to believe that we're wrapping up our Orphan Annie project. Thanks to all our backers, we've had an amazing journey restoring our Monotype OA sorts caster. She's now casting type on a regular basis! We've posted the video of the inaugural run and hope you enjoy it.
Orphan Annie Inaugural Run from C.C. Stern Type Foundry on Vimeo.
Backers, we're just wrapping up the last of the rewards, so look for another update on ship dates in the next week or so. Thanks again for all your support!Update #10: Orphan Annie casts type again!
For backers only,
Posted on October 16, 2011
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Update #9: Orphan Annie is HOT!
She’s hot! And she pumps!
As anyone who’s worked on old machines knows, restoration is rarely a matter of a little cleaning and throwing the switch. On August 6 we tested a pump on the Orphan Annie, but found that it was too worn to provide the pressure needed to cast type. On to Plan B – find and test another pump.
And happily, last week we passed a couple of huge milestones on the road to casting type with Orphan Annie. After some hot work changing out parts, we got a pump working and were able to cast a quad and a letter 'c' from an expendable mat of Franklin Gothic Bold!
We’re working our way toward the casting of Stern slowly – there are still a bunch of adjustments to the machine to be made before we are willing to put our precious Stern mats on the caster, but we’re making progress.
Our new estimate for the inaugual run is late September or early October. As usual, a big THANK YOU! to all our backers. We're so glad you're on this adventure with us.
(Thanks to Chris Chen for the photos.)
Update #8: Inaugural run date is tentatively set
Hello backers. We bring you good news on the Orphan Annie restoration. We've been busy tearing Orphan Annie apart, cleaning her, and getting all her parts back in place and properly adjusted. (Photo below is of Rebecca and Joe adjusting the bridge.)
The cooling unit is partially built. Wiring is in place. The Stern mats have been modified to fit the caster. (Aren't they beautiful?) With all this great actiivity, we're hoping to do the inaugural run of Orphan Annie and begin to cast some Stern on August 6.
Several of you have asked about when rewards will be shipped. This is dependent on getting the Stern letters cast, so we hope late August or September will see rewards going out the door.
As we get closer to our target date, we'll keep you posted on our progress. Thanks for your ongoing support and encouragement.
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on April 1, 2011.
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Hearing Orphan Annie sing plus gratitude and backer updates.
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An Orphan Annie themed, letterpress printed postcard.
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An Orphan Annie themed postcard plus a type metal letter of Stern cast during the inaugural run of the Orphan Annie.
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An Orphan Annie themed postcard and type metal letter plus a letterpress printed, die cut composing stick holder. (We designed this stand to hold a type stick on a composing stone, but it also works perfectly to hold a smartphone on your desk.)
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An Orphan Annie themed postcard, type metal letter and composing stick holder plus a personalized Ludlow slug–a word or short phrase of your choice cast in 18 pt. Ultra Modern (Up to ~25 characters). Make it something cool; we won’t cast hate speech.
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An Orphan Annie themed postcard, type metal letter and composing stick holder plus a piece of limited edition letterpress ephemera (edition of 75) and your name on a letterpress printed “plaque” of backers that will be hung in the museum.
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An Orphan Annie themed postcard, type metal letter, composing stick holder and personalized Ludlow slug plus “Thank you!” cast in Stern on the Orphan Annie and your name in the video record we’ll make of the inaugural run of the Orphan Annie.
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An Orphan Annie themed postcard, type metal letter, composing stick holder and limited edition ephemera (edition of 75), “Thank you!” cast in Stern on the Orphan Annie, your name on our letterpress "plaque" and in the video tape plus two invitations to attend in person the inaugural run of the Orphan Annie. This will be an exclusive, backers-only event. (Travel to Portland and lodging not included.)
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We are a nonprofit working museum run by volunteers: artists, poets, teachers and working printers who came together to carry on the legacy of the talented and generous printer Chris Stern. We're working to preserve the skills and knowledge of the journeyman crafts of letterpress printing and metal type casting, but it’s not about nostalgia. We love working with our hands–there’s knowledge, joy and self-confidence that comes from running big hot loud dirty machines and making things like metal type, books and broadsides.
Delighted to have helped!