In 1965, Alexander and Ilse Buchert Nesbitt founded the Third & Elm Press at 29 Elm Street in Newport, Rhode Island. From the beginning, using only hand set type, the press printed and published limited edition books, note paper, and cards on an 1897 Golding platen press and original woodcuts on the 1830 Acorn hand press that inspired the press logo.At first, Third & Elm also printed letterheads, business cards, and invitations, however at present it no longer produces this type of work. Calligrapher, historian of typography, and teacher, Alexander Nesbitt was born 1901 in Patterson, New Jersey.
Services
Ilse moved to the United States in 1960 and taught typography and book design at the Rhode island School of Design in Providence, R.I for five years. In 1965 she founded the Third & Elm Press with her late husband, calligrapher and type historian Alexander Nesbitt. Since 1965 she has done numerous one-woman and group shows in the U.S. and Germany.
The single woodblock is cut, from which the full color image is printed. Shown here reflecting the light of the flash. Figure 2 shows the basic one color print from the block and Figure 3 shows the final full color print from the same block. In traditional letterpress printing the strength of the impression is varied by adding paper packing behind the printed sheet.
Reviews (2)
J. R.
Oct 08, 2019
Ilse Newbitt, the owner/artist, was born in Germany and grew up in Japan. You'll see a strong Japanese influence in many of her woodblock prints. After teaching at the Rhode Island School of Design, she and her late husband opened the press and gallery. She makes her own paper and prints her work on a 100+ year old press. The Press is a bit out of the way but well worth finding. Ilse is charming and clearly is more interested in meeting people and educating them about her work rather than making a quick sale.
Tzook R.
Aug 10, 2016
