In January 1776, 1000 copies of Thomas Paine’s booklet Common Sense are printed by Robert Bell in Philadelphia. The 84-page exposition on the evils of tyranny ignites a wildfire of political feeling. In three months, 120,000 copies of the booklet have been printed and distributed throughout the colonies. There is no question that this virulent expression of emotion would lead to the acceptance of the Declaration of Independence just six months later. Come print a paragraph from Common Sense on a replica period press to recapture the fervor of these important days. 

Participants will print a paragraph from the introduction to Thomas Paine’s Common Sense. We will print on the BookBeetle Press, using hand set metal type and a cut from the Revolutionary era as an illustration. Students will spend time composing type, locking up the form, and printing the sheets. This approximately three-hour workshop is designed for participants to drop-in, contribute to the process, and retire as needed. Students will create hand-printed broadsides, approximately 9x12 inches each, to take away.

This workshop is open to all in the UVA and Charlottesville community. Registration is not required, and attendees are welcome to stay for the entire workshop or drop in as they can.

Instructor Josef Beery is a local artist and educator who focuses on historic forms of printing. He helped found the Virginia Arts of the Book Center in Charlottesville, Virginia in collaboration with many energetic artists and friends.  He is a Fellow in Brown Residential College at University of Virginia, and an instructor at Sweet Briar College.