My Type Case
It’s Show & Tell Friday over at Kelli’s House, so I decided to show you the type case I have hanging in my kitchen (right below my clothesline).
My husband is a printer. His dad was a printer, and Lyle grew up in the print shop. Two of his brothers are also printers, so it is somewhat of a family tradition. When we first got married Lyle worked for one of his brothers who owns a print shop. They were cleaning out and selling some of the old equipment, and my brother-in-law gave me this type case drawer. I wanted it for a miniature shelf. Not that I had many miniatures, but I thought it would be fun to collect little odds and ends that would fit in the tiny cubbyholes.
A few years later my mother-in-law gave me the type letters in the biggest font they had, to spell out our names. So why are are they arranged backwards on my shelf? Well, because type was set backwards! When it pressed onto the paper it made a mirror image, so it had to be backwards.
This is the first time I’ve had my type case up since we moved to Idaho 10 years ago, I think. Therefore, I haven’t been adding to my miniature collection much. The little Coca-Cola pieces are actually tiny Christmas tree ornaments that I got for Christmas a couple of years ago. I have other Coke collectibles in my kitchen, so I decided the type case would be neat in there, too.
I still need some really tiny things to go in the smallest cubbyholes in the bottom two rows. Any suggestions?
11 Comments
Linda
What a neat type case, I especially like the block letters spelling your name, and what fun finding little treasures for all the cubbies.
I enjoyed your clotheslines. Your red work towel sure turned out nice. Hugs, Linda
ceekay
Your case is nice. I used to have one also, but sold it when we moved. I didn’t want to dust all those little cubicles anymore. But I still like the way they look.
Dori
Hey, how about some really old buttons that are pretty. I might have some that I could donate to the cause. Remember how much fun it was when Mother let us play with the button jar? I have an antique canning jar (I think maybe from Granny?) that I have old buttons in. My girls love it too.
Hootin' Anni
This is fantastic! Wow…I love the whole concept! So unique, so personal…perfect.
There is an open invitation to stop by and view my show n tell project this week. Hope to see you there if you haven’t dropped by already.
Ivory Spring
That’s a cute display shelf – it’s made even more precious with the story behind it. Thanks for sharing.
A Hint of Home
What a nice display and conversation piece (to explain why the letters are backwards). It’s nice to have it just for the family history.
Farrah
How neat, Karla! I love it, and I love tiny things! I’ll let you know if I come up with any ideas for finishing filling it! 🙂
Penny @ Lavender Hill Studio
Hi Karla,
I worked for newspaper for 25 years so I remember the old type letters, before everything was done on a computer….
How about special little shells or vintage jewelty – like broaches..
Penny
Elizabeth
My sister and I both have typecases in which we display little treasures. She has thimbles and other tiny things from different trips. I have travel memorabilia, such as foreign money that I attach with that sticky clay stuff, representative holiday scenes, and little things that I like, such as a miniature Trivial Pursuit game. I have larger items along the very top ledge. You can find great things in the dollhouse section of hobby stores, too!
Barbara H.
Wow, that is just so neat! To have the type case is especially great since your husband and his family are printers, then to have the names in typr print (and backwards!) is just the right touch!
Kelli
What a wonderful treasure and I love how the letters spell your name and are backwards!
~Kelli