tbt: Cartoon Boxing Guy

If you've lived in or been to Philadelphia at some point in your life, you know what to do when you get the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps--right?!

Cartoon Boxing Guy flat notcard. By Paprika Letterpress + Design.

You become Rocky Balboa. You are Rocky Balboa. And as Rocky you must run up the steps without stopping and when you reach the top, you throw your boxing fists over your head in victory while humming the "Rocky" movie theme song.

With all the history and culture of boxing the Philadelphia area holds, it's no wonder we love this guy!

But he wasn't always this lucky. In fact, he was dealt a KO of his own. In the plate image, you'll see some damage lines right through his mid-section!

Note damage to his mid-section.Vintage
metal cut on wood block.

Here at Paprika Letterpress, we love to revive old plates (did you check out last week's post on the Serpent Girl?), especially those that speak to the history of our hometown. This boxer needed some coaching before he could go back in the ring. He was scanned in, touched up, and a new plate was made. Now, he can keep up with the best of 'em.

You can own your own champion boxer card or print by going to our website or by visiting us at Reading Terminal Market (Philadelphia) Saturdays from 10a-6p.

#tbt: The Serpent Girl from Hell's Kitchen

Is that a woman, naked, riding a snake coiled in a shot class?
Why yes, it is.

Serpent Girl. Letterpress greeting card
by Paprika Letterpress + Design.

Finding old cuts and plates is always fun. But printing old cuts back into circulation is where the magic happens. New impressions of these old timers are reminders of print history, acting as windows to past pop culture, advertising, and more!

Some cuts have been thrown around (or away!) causing dings, dents, or cracks in the plate. But this girl and her serpent survived. Found by Lenor at the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market (West 39th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues, NYC), her history is a mystery. Was she used in advertising? If so, what is she advertising? Was she an advocate or opponent of something? Was she just a decorative art piece?

Serpent Girl. Metal plate on
woodblock. 1 3/8" x 3".

While her past remains hidden, her future is much clearer: Paprika Letterpress cards and prints! Available as a greeting card or framed print at our Reading Terminal Market shop (12th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia) on Saturdays, you can take home a piece of history and be part of her new story. (Can't get to Reading Terminal Market? Send us an email to purchase your print or card.)

What color are you?

PMS colors?? (Pantone  colors) We don't need no stinkin' PMS colors. We have our vintage many purpose colors.

Letterpress at Eastern Market, Detroit

We Stopped by Signal return and Cedar and Salt- 2 letterpress shops in the Eastern Market complex of buildings, outdoor vendors, burgers, produce, music, plants and cool vintage finds. 

This was part of a workshop being presented by the amazing, amazing, so talented, Chicago based letterpress company-Starshaped press. 

New season, new colors

Coffee buzz at ReadingTerminal Market

New holiday cards! Live from Reading terminal Market, Philadelphia, Pa

If you are in the area, stop on by and say hello! We will be at Reading Market every Wednesday and Thursday through December 25th. Great place to shop and soak up some holiday cheer.
Check out the new holiday cards from Paprika!