As one of the three “original” pre-war presses, and one of the three “mega-presses” presses of the second half of the century, the Branford Press has had an illustrious history. Named in honor of George D. Vail, University Historian, Printer and perpetual Scribe of the Honorable Company of College Printers, Branford hosted both the Second and Third Revival Meetings of the HCCP in 1955 and 1962 respectively. The Press was well known for its high quality keepsakes published for many a special occasion, as well as for its close relationship with Mr. Vail and his Bethany Press. Throughout the late 1980’s and 1990’s under the aegis of Mark Landerhue, first as Chief Printer and eventually as a supportive alumnus, Branford kept the letterpress flame alive at Yale during the fin de siècle printing interregnum. When other college presses were disbanded and their equipment re-allocated, he was the one who salvaged and distributed the viable remains. He also returned on a regular basis to maintain the equipment of the press, until he moved out the region.

By 1999, however, Branford was at a crucial turning point. The college was next up for renovation, and initial plans appeared to call for the disbanding of the press as had happened at Calhoun. But through the happy confluence of supportive alumni, an enthusiastic Master, some generous donors and the booty from the erstwhile other presses, quite the opposite is happening. The Branford Press has been re-established as a by-product of the complete overhaul of the college, with sufficient funds allocated to restore the shop to its historical eminence. With a world-class assemblage of presses including a Vandercook, a hand-press and three platens, the shop will be able to undertake a wide variety of work. With the substantial amount of type rescued from other college presses, the student printers will have great design latitude. And with many of the graphic components from the late Printing Service, Branford will serve as a resource center for other college presses in matters of university-related cuts and art.

Over the summer of 2001, the George D. Vail Printing Office of the Branford Press underwent a complete and professional restoration. The studio has been rearranged, the presses rebuilt and repaired, the type cabinets refinished, and new foundry type provided. In addition, Branford will become one of the first of the presses to officially marry relief letterpress work with computer-generated graphic design. The introduction of a photopolymer plate-making capability will give students the ability to set type electronically for manual production, and ease the integrations of “old media” with “new media”.

Update

The renovation of the Branford shop has taken up most of our time and attention this summer. But what results! Thanks to some generous alumni, funds were obtained as part of the Branford overhaul to bring in Greg Timko, a master press mechanic and rigger, who has spent much of the summer living in the Branford guest suite. Greg and his crew have worked wonders on the shop, and by appropriate moving, removing, adding and changing the Branford press has been turned into a real showplace. Andi Young, appointed by Master Smith as the new Chief Printer of Branford, is currently getting up to speed, and will be recruiting a whole new crop of student printers as soon as everyone returns. Look, too, for an opening reception this Fall at the Branford Press, featuring Yale University Printer Emeritus (and Branford Press Fellow/Advisor) Greer Allen, so you can see the results of all that hard work!