Light Within Words: The Encounter of Letterpress and Independent Bookstores

4 Illustrators x 38 Independent & Used Bookstores An exceptionally rich offering: a 10-page bookstore poster illustrated by Jia Si, a 64-page exquisite handmade thread-bound book (by Deng Yu, Ye Yi-ying, Lei Ke), and an 8-page letterpress directory of independent bookstores. All text in these three volumes is printed using letterpress! The "Taiwan Letterpress Culture Preservation Association" and "Ri Xing Type Foundry," in collaboration with independent and used bookstores, aim to combine letterpress printing with illustration, creative writing, and bookbinding design. In an era of digital homogeneity and standardization, this initiative seeks to highlight the allure and diversity of distinct cultures, thereby enriching the discourse on design and aesthetics. Featuring four illustrators with distinct styles—Jia Si, Deng Yu, Ye Yi-ying, and Lei Ke—alongside 38 participating independent and used bookstores. Their owners have written or selected phrases imbued with the essence of "Light within Words," all meticulously typeset and printed using letterpress. The publication’s design and binding were crafted by Afa, the designer behind the "Anti-Nuclear Flag"; the letterpress type was provided by "Ri Xing Type Foundry," with young apprentices assisting in type selection; Chairman Lin Jin-ren of the Taipei Printers' Guild handled the typesetting; and Master Su, over seventy years old, operated the letterpress machine for printing. This endeavor seeks to bridge letterpress and offset printing in the age of digital technology, offering a new life to tradition. We hope to rediscover the "light" within words, allowing the weight of lead and fire to continue burning in the age of light and electricity. Origin/Manufacturing Method Made in Taiwan, Handmade