Frank Gets Lost in the Good Book

Frank previews an upcoming Museum of Printing exhibit showcasing original leaves from famous Bibles, including every Bible printed in Colonial America. The King James became the best known English translation—even if a printer’s error changed one of the Commandments to read “Thou shalt commit adultery.” The first Bibles printed in America were not in English—they were in Algonquin.

Published on June 19, 2020

Discussion

By Karl Loatman on Jun 19, 2020

Frank if you are interested in human interest stories here's a good one. While visiting family in Washington DC in 1974 we took the tour of the Bureau of Printing & Engraving to see money printed. As the group formed up my 6 year old daughter Gwen got a big smile on her face pointing to a poster and said my daddy does that. Well the sign said "THIS IS A TIPICAL COUNTERFITTER'S SHOP". Needless to say she couldn't read such big words. The picture was a row of 5 small presses. At that point I stepped in front of the crowd and announced that I sold Multilith 1250 Offset Presses, which these were. A fellow with ink under his nails who was old enough to be my dad stepped up to me putting his arm on my shoulder saying "I got Multis in my shop". I could of kissed him. Well "Take Your Kid To Work Day" can be risky! The old fellow joined me on the tour and we were both shocked to see the bills being printed on an East German Communist built Mann Roland. My career spanned 45 years selling presses from Multis, Ryobi, Solna, Presstek and CTP from poly to metal. When I started it took a staff of 25 to produce four color process work. In the end it took 2 people. [email protected]

By Frank Romano on Jun 19, 2020

Thanks Karl. I will never forget one episode of the TV series of Mission Impossible from the 1960s. They were seeking the perfect set of plates for currency. They found the secret facility behind the bookcase and there was an AB Dick 360 with paper cut to the size of bills.