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Firecracker Press

 Collection
Identifier: MGHL-00020

The collection includes original posters and broadsides, books, and printed ephemera created by the Firecracker Press company. Printed ephemera includes in-house projects and commissioned projects, such as invitations, cards, coasters, product tags, t-shirts, fliers, stationery, business cards, CD jackets, calendars, menus, and other various work.

Dates

  • Creation: 2002-2014
  • Other: Date acquired: 09/00/2013

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions to access.

Conditions Governing Use

Some restrictions apply, please contact the Modern Graphic History Library Curator at (314) 935-7741 or spec@wumail.wustl.edu. Users of the collection must read and abide by the Rules for the use of Modern Graphic History Library materials. Users of the collection who wish to use items from this collection, in whole or in part, in any form of publication (as defined in the form) must sign and submit to the Washington University Department of Special Collections a hard copy of the Notification of intent to publish Modern Graphic History Library materials form. All publication not covered by fair use restricted to those who have permission of the copyright holder.

Extent

14.00 linear feet

Biographical or Historical Information

The Firecracker Press is a letterpress and graphic design studio located in Saint Louis, Missouri. It was founded in 2002 by owner Eric Woods. The Firecracker Press uses letterpress printing techniques to create posters, cards, invitations and other paper goods. Their philosophy is stated on their website as: "We combine antique printing technology with new thinking to design and produce objects that people enjoy seeing and feeling. We use computer design software to conceive ideas but still carve woodblocks and print by hand..." The shop is currently located at 2838 Cherokee Street and has become an active participant in the neighborhood's recent renaissance through activities such as the Cherokee Print League Holiday Sale. They moved to this location in May 2008 from a previous shop on Chippewa. The shop houses a retail space in front, with workspace and the print shop in the back of the building. There are currently ten printing presses in the shop, whose manufacturing dates range from the 1890s to 1990s. The Riverfront Times designated the shop part of the Best New Local Art Trend in their 2009 Best Of St. Louis Issue. The Firecracker Press puts out a poetry magazine twice a year called The Lumberyard in conjunction with Typecast Publishing. The Lumberyard has received the 2009 Platinum Award for Graphic Design in the Louisville Graphic Design Association 100 show and several Several Awards of Merit from the AIGA of St. Louis.

Note written by

Arrangement Note

The collection is divided into the following series: Series 1: Posters Series 2: Books Series 3: Printed Ephemera Within each series, the collection is arranged by size.

Method of Acquisition

The collection was purchased by the Modern Graphic History Library in September 2013.

Accruals and Additions

There are currently no accruals.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Alexis Peregoy in January 2015.

Title
Firecracker Press
Author
Alexis Peregoy
Date
00/00/2015
Description rules
dacs
Language of description
eng

Revision Statements

  • 09099999: This finding aid was entered into Archon by Alexis Peregoy in January 2015.

Collecting Area Details

Part of the Dowd Illustration Research Archive Collecting Area

Contact:
Andrea Degener, Interim Curator
West Campus Library
7425 Forsyth Blvd
Clayton MO 63105 US
(314) 935-5495