Rusticus
Rusticus: an adjective meaning ‘rural, simple, rough or clownish.’
¶ Rusticus is projected to be a series of letterpress-printed, newspaper-format publications that combine journalism and typographic experiment in order to explore topics related to the book arts, typography, literature, rural life and general civics. Printed in a folio format, Rusticus will employ a range of typographic tools (Linotype, Ludlow and handset wood and metal type), incorporating elements of classical newspaper design with a riotous wood type aesthetic in order to create a dynamic graphic framework for the presentation of short essays and interviews. This series revisits my roots in newspaper design and print journalism, providing me with a larger typographic canvas than the octavo book format where so much of my career has transpired. Issues in the Rusticus series are projected to appear more-or-less annually. I will be offering each issue for sale as it is ready (as opposed to by subscription). Send me an email by clicking the ‘inquire’ button and reserve a copy with no obligation.
A Printers’ Chronicle
Rusticus One
Limited edition newspaper-format journal
Projected release in Fall 2026
Production of the first issue of Rusticus will not commence until I am settled in the new printshop early in 2026, but I have already started to map out the first issue. Tentative plans include:
A conversation with fine press printer and publisher Mark Sarigianis of The Prototype Press in rural Maryland.
An article on printing with the iron hand press by Amelia Hugill-Fontanel, Associate Curator in the Cary Collection at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York.
A conversation with Emily Lutz, county councillor and former deputy mayor of the Municipality of Kings County, Nova Scotia. I plan to talk to her about the importance of young people participating in local government—and not just on election day.
Thoughts on the process of planning and building my new printshop and moving all my type and printing equipment.
Short excerpts and observations from the stack of books I am reading that clutter my bedside table. This is unlikely to ever rise to a level of commentary deserving of the word ‘reviews’; more properly ‘notes’.
Various compositions made from the wood type in my collection.
Check back in spring 2026 for more details.
Specifications: This publication is projected to be at least 8 folio pages roughly 27 ×43 cm in size printed letterpress in many colours on Hahnemule Burga mouldmade paper.
8 pages
Limited edition of no more than 200 numbered copies
CND $80 + shipping & taxes
Copies will be folded a second time to 27 ×21.5 cm for shipping, but you can request that your copy be shipped single-folded at 27 ×43 cm if you are willing to pay the additional shipping costs.
