Q & A
Jim Moran — Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum
1 . What was your initial reaction to the idea of having Silver Buckle Press in your space ? I was thrilled because I think it ’ s such a great collection . Tracy has continued such a fine legacy that I was honored it could come to the Museum . This will help with expanded programming , greater attention to book arts , respect among individuals who knew Silver Buckle Press , in Madison , and a chance to work more with the University . This furthers the museum ’ s mission of educating and protecting American printing history .
2 . Why is a collection like Silver Buckle so important to be able to showcase ? It ’ s complete and is its own entity . We have many pieces of print shops , but this is a chance to preserve an entire shop that has such a fine reputation . The equipment , type , and library are also first rate . We get so many students from Wisconsin schools that this is a chance to share Silver Buckle Press with a new audience .
3 . What is the process for actually moving a collection like this ? Initially , assessing what is there , how heavy it is , what is fragile , what needs a crew , how many trucks and how many people ? A listing of all items and their condition follows , with an examination of whether the doors can be removed , what the route is , whether the elevator can handle the load . How many boxes , tape , feet of rope , rubber straps , and hours to move will be needed ? Who is in the building and when ? How much noise will there be ? Where is the loading dock ? What needs a separate trip due to its value or condition ? Will there be snow , ice , or rain ? Has the building changed since everything came in , and what are the risky pieces ? Then we photograph everything . We also spent about two weeks building the space at Hamilton .
4 . What do you hope people will get out of its exhibition ? A greater understanding of the history of Silver Buckle Press . An opportunity for highly qualified printers and bookmakers to expand their knowledge of the craft . We can attract visiting scholars / practitioners from very high levels .
5 . What ’ s the strangest piece of the collection ? The former curator , Tracy Honn ! No , not really . It ’ s the little cuts and blocks , characters from 1907 and certainly the specimen books that the museum didn ’ t have .
Jim Moran
6 . What is your favorite piece ? The Albion Iron Hand Press at the moment . I think I ’ ll need to work in the space longer to be sure .
7 . How long have you been working with printing presses ? In 1971 I began working with my father and running presses . I was 16 . At age 10 , I had learned to set my name and print it on a proofing press .
8 . What is the most fascinating thing about the evolution of machines / materials ? I can always learn more and become better at this . It ’ s mostly about our need to communicate . Also , though the equipment is old , we can still find wonderful ways to make it work . I can ’ t get over the thrill of seeing the print come off the press . The museum shows 100 years of evolution , and while we may be faster , we don ’ t always make a better product . The presses and type will outlast all the new technology .
9 . What is the most common question you get asked about at the museum ? Does any of this still work ?
10 . The Wisconsin Idea is critical to the University ’ s way of life . Why is this partnership a good example of the Wisconsin Idea ? I honestly believe we will expose a larger audience to the Silver Buckle Press collection and thereby strengthen people ’ s knowledge of printing history and American history . The digitization of Hamilton journals and ledgers by the University will do the same by illustrating how a great Wisconsin company grew and giving insight into state and national history . Knowing our past in new ways teaches us so much about who we were and , therefore , who we are .
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