Johnny's Print Shop

Interiors of print shop.

One day just before COVID-19, in early January, we noticed some unusual activity on Warren Street at Johnny’s Print Shop. It looked like they were going out of business. So we kept an eye on it, as driving down Warren Street is a common route for everyone on our team. Later that week, we found out that after 25 years they were closing the doors and we got to pick the contents!

Public Sale staff sorting through print blocks.

Upon entering, the feeling of a print shop with no electric printers or copy machines is like stepping back in time.

A lot was already cleared out. The large letterpress machines were long gone, most of the shelves on the main floor were bare. But the building still had lots to be discovered. Being in business for 25 years, you accumulate a lot and the times change. In the case of Johnny’s Print Shop, letterpress print blocks weren’t being used any more. As we continued our pick to the upstairs we found that they never got rid of their old printing blocks.

We found thousands of letterpress print blocks. We searched through closets and rooms, which held proof prints, file cabinets and LETTERPRESS PRINT BLOCKS. After removing them all from the Warren Street location we brought them back to the auction house to sort. We found many of local interest, including maps of FAIRVIEW PLAZA and surrounding towns, original menus for TAGHKANIC DINER, advertisements for GERMANTOWN’S BOHNSACK EQUIPMENT COMPANY and other local businesses. So many to sort through!

We found so many that were generic as well, hundreds of portraits, or unidentified newspaper scenes. Many artists use these print blocks in printing or even in sculpture. We have seen wall art and even coffee tables made from old printing blocks. There has been a resurgence in letterpress printing and bringing the trade back, letterpress greeting cards, posters, and more!