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……..

The Eickhorn company was established by Carl Eickhorn in 1865. He was the largest producer’s of period German edged weapons and daggers. His family had been in the cutlery business for 500 years and the first cutlery related to the Eickhorn name dates back to 1356. The company emblem changed over the years. However, the squirrel logo came into use after WWI. The word Eickhorn actually translates to squirrel. The squirrel logo represented the highest quality manufacturer of pre and period Third Reich German edged weapons. In our collection, we have an assortment of printer’s blocks used for printing catalogs of Eickhorn edged weapons. Included are sabers, daggers, officer and forestry swords, fire axes, and more.


Eickhorn Officers Forestry Sword

A fine vintage wood type block that features a WWI German Eickhorn Officers Forestry Cutlass Sword. A beautiful hand-carved engraving by a very talented artist. There are three acorns that embellish the stag-horn handle, one acorn on the scabbard. The blade features a decorative scrollwork design. This block is solid boxwood and measures 1 3/16” x 5 13/16”, and is type-high (.918 inches). Used to print an advertisement to purchase this sword through a catalog.


Eickhorn Cutlass Hunting Sword

Another gorgeous vintage wood type block that features a WWI German Eickhorn Cutlass Sword. Also listed as a Machete for the Spanish market, and a Hunting Sword for the French and German markets. The blade features a decorative design and the handle is ribbed. This block is solid boxwood and measures 1 1/8” x 5 15/16”, and is type-high (.918 inches). Used to print an advertisement to purchase this sword through a catalog.


Eickhorn Fireman’s Sidearm Sword

A fine vintage copper faced block that features a 1908 German Eickhorn Fireman's Sidearm sword. The handle has an acorn shaped adornment on the top. The blade and scabbard feature a decorative and highly detailed design. This block has a solid boxwood base with an electrotype copper face. It measures 1” x 6 1/8”, and is type-high (.918 inches). Used to print an advertisement to purchase this sword through a catalog.


Eickhorn Saxon Calvary Saber

A fine vintage copper faced block that features a WWI era German Eickhorn Saxon M1889 Calvary Saber. The handle has a hand protector with a circular embellishment. The blade has a decorative and highly detailed design. The scabbard has a basic ribbed design at the top. This block has a solid boxwood base with an electrotype copper face. It measures 5/8” x 10 5/16”, and is type-high (.918 inches). Used to print an advertisement to purchase this sword through a catalog.


Eickhorn Fireman’s Ax

A fine vintage wood type block that features a WWI German Eickhorn Fireman’s ax. The blade features beautiful decorative designs. The backside of this block has been marked in hand-written script with the name C. Eickhorn. This block is solid boxwood and measures 3 ¾” x 2 1/16”, it is type-high (.918 inches). Used to print an advertisement to purchase this sword through a catalog.


We have a good number of other edged weapon blocks that will be added to the site in the future. None of our swords have yet been added to our store inventory but many will be added in time. We currently maintain the collection on our photograph gallery.

A highly recommended visit in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. The Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum is dedicated to the preservation and printing of wood type printers blocks. They have over 1.5 million individual pieces of wood type and the collection covers well over 1,000 different font styles and sizes. No doubt one of the best collections of wood type in the world today. There is s spectacular 145-foot wall displaying the world's largest wall of wood type. More than 1,000 different styles and patterns, ranging in sizes from 1/4-inch to 48-inches, all are housed in cabinet after cabinet, in drawers and on shelves.

We have a selection of antique printers blocks on Etsy that feature famous early American people and characters. Included in this collection is Andrew Jackson, our seventh President of the United States (1829-1837). A nice antique cut that has Andrew Jackson in a circular frame, with the title: Old Hickory. He earned that nickname by displaying his toughness. Old Hickory face appears on our US $20 bills. An early cut with an electrotype copper face mounted on a hardwood base. It measures 1 1/16” x 1 5/16”.


We have a couple antique printers blocks on Etsy that feature George Washington. There is a circular framed bust and an unframed bust currently available. Washington was our 1st President and was in office from 1789–1797. The listings on Etsy may change at any time. Both are early cuts with an electrotype copper face mounted on a hardwood base. Both measure in the 1 ½” range and are type-high (.918”).


Benjamin Franklin was one of the founding fathers of the United States. He was born in Milk, Mass. In 1706. When he turned 17, he ran away to Philadelphia and took work in a Printing shop. Within Months he was on his way to London where he worked as a typesetter. He returned to Philadelphia in 1726. During his time in Pennsylvania he held many titles and was known as an author, inventor, newspaper printer, and much more. A very important figure during the birth of the United States. An early cut with an electrotype copper face mounted on a hardwood base. It measures 7/8” x 1”.


We have a selection of blocks that include more famous people, newspaper printing blocks, State seals, foundry ornaments, animals, calendar months, advertisement, and more. We also have some printer’s drawers available as well as wood type, foundry type, trims, number sets, antique music sheet plates, etc. In addition to these we have a selection of vintage embossing plates used to create greeting cards of the past. They can be used for paper greeting or Holiday card embossing, leatherwork, clay work, and much more. Visit us at Etsy and take a look around. Listings change periodically.