Jessica Glaser's Research request in Print Week

Copyright: Cadbury Research Library: Special Collections, University of Birmingham

Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication, Jessica Glaser has a call for support with research in Print Week Magazine. She is searching for post-war printing industry apprentices of the 1950s and 1960s who have personal memories of Monotype’s publicity manager, Beatrice Warde.

Glaser described American-born Warde, who died in 1969, as “a commentator whose work in the twentieth century created debate, framed and expanded discussion and has come to possess contemporary resonance.”

Warde was a prolific writer and editor. Her famous works include her homage to printers: ‘This is a printing office’ and the presentation and essay ‘The Crystal Goblet'.

She edited the Monotype Recorder and contributed to influential publications of the day including The Penrose Annual.

Glaser said she was keen to gain an impression of Warde and her ideas from people who had met her and heard her speak. Warde made frequent visits to printing schools and art colleges around the UK and overseas during her career.

“I hope readers of PrintWeek will be able to help me with my research into memories of printing and printing education,” she explained.

“I am researching responses to, and memories of talks given by Beatrice Warde to apprentices and students of printing. Many contemporary designers see her writings and legacy as iconic, however I am keen to find out first hand, what youngsters learning about print in the 1950s and early 60s thought about her presentations and ideas.”

 Print Week