Our latest addition to the gallery pages. Will be added to the store section as we progress. This is a collection of 19th and early 20th century printer’s blocks that feature American Indians. There are solid foundry alloy type as well as copper face mounted on hardwood. We have added a few now and more will be coming. The block featured next to this paragraph is a primitive Indian warrior bust. Complete with feathered headpiece and native jewelry. This block is stamped on the sides by R.S. Menamin, who was an editor involved with the late 19th century Printer’s Circular. The Printer’s Circular was a monthly record of events of interest to Printer’s, Publishers, Stationers, Lithographers, Bookbinders, Paper Makers, and Kindred Industries. This cut is an electrotype copper face mounted on a hardwood base.


A. Zeese Indian Smoking Peace Pipe

A gorgeous 1890s era American Indian at leisure, smoking a piece pipe. He’s wearing a feathered headpiece and has his bow and arrows over his shoulder. There is a barrel of unknown contents that is used for an elbow rest. This engraving is solid foundry cast alloy with an electrotype copper face. The face is stamped by A. Zeese and Co, Chicago. A. Zeese and Company was in business from 1889 – 1899. Rare to find such a unique piece from the 19th century.


2 – 1860s Era Foundry Indians

A great example of how the same graphics have been used by different foundries of the past. These two foundry type blocks are from the same era but were manufactured by two different 19th century foundries. The graphic depicts an Indian Warrior standing while holding his bow in one hand, and his tomahawk in the other. His arrow quiver is over the shoulder. He also has a utility pouch and various knives hanging from his clothing. The block on the right has a foundry stamp from Johnson Type Foundry. The L. Johnson Type Foundry was bought out by MacKellar, Smiths and Jordan foundry in the mid 19th century. M. S. and J. kept the Johnson name out of affection for the previous owner who had passed away, Larry Johnson. MacKellar Smiths and Jordan Type Foundry operated until 1892.

The block on the left has a foundry stamp from John Ryan and Co., Type Foundry, Baltimore. The John Ryan foundry was in operation from 1854 – 1892.

More Indian graphics to come……..