Sterling Library is the home of Yale’s Bibliographical Press, a letterpress printing facility that was established at the turn of the 20th century to support Yale’s Arts of the Book collection, keep alive the fine book arts, provide scholars with functional access to Yale’s irreplaceable collections of letterpress-related items, and foster Yale’s unique network of student presses. The Bibliographical Press is the repository of many collections of extraordinary historical value, including the world’s finest collection of Thomas Bewick wood engravings; all of the original letterpress cuts that illustrated the Merriam Webster dictionary; the unparalleled collection of bookbinding stamps and tools from the Riverside Press; and much more.

Update

This fall, we will be restoring the Bibliographical Press's exquisite Washington Hand Press, fine-tuning the Vandercook proof press, and adding a selection of wood type patterns donated by American Wood Type Corporation. One of things we hope to accomplish is a closer connection between the Bibliographical Press and undergraduate printers, allowing students to benefit not only from the unique resources of the library's collection, but also to imbue their work with a sense of history.