The 19th-century printer, working at typecase and press, was a vital force in the economic, intellectual, and spiritual development of New England’s seacoast communities. The Mystic Press, assembled to represent a newspaper and job printing shop of the late 19th century, contains the tools and technology of the journeyman printer’s trade. From shops like this, with their Wells and Washington presses, platen job presses, and Cranston cylinder press, came the almanacs, the newspapers, the books, and the handbills so important to the business, political, and social life of the community.

Did you know?

That the terms “uppercase” and “lowercase” originated in printing offices. The two types of letters were kept in separate boxes or cases. The capital letters were kept in the upper case and the minuscule letters were kept in the lower case.