NSW’s Rare Book Week delivers an opportunity to learn more about bookbinding, typography and “the eighth wonder of the world”, the Linotype machine.

Penrith Museum of Printing in outer western Sydney is staging a special two-hour session next Tuesday week, October 21 (1.30-3.30pm), as part of the State Library-organised week. You are advised to book seats by calling 0408 412 708 or emailing president Bob Lockley or co-organiser James Cryer.

More information on the museum’s website printingmuseum.org.au.

Explaining ‘the curious evolution of book structures’ is Jean Kropper (above), an expert on paper engineering and bookbinding who runs the Paper & Pixel design studio. She is an internationally-published author of three books including: Handmade Books and Cards, with Davis Publications, and a volunteer at the print museum.

Andy McCourt (below right) will talk about ‘typography from Gutenberg to Google’, and will cover the evolution of typefaces from pre-Gutenberg to Google, MS, Adobe etc, and promises some surprises about Australian-made type founts. Andy spoke at the 2023 Rare Book event on Shakespeare and the Gutenberg 42-line Bible.

Former Fairfax/Rural Press print and distribution chief executive Bob Lockley (below left) – who is the museum’s president – will talk about The Linotype, ‘eighth wonder of the world’, including references to the museum’s early 20th century Linotype and Intertype machines and how they revolutionised newspaper and book production.

And a reminder that, as it’s a working museum, most equipment can be seen operating.