A vivid collection of travel letters and a veteran printer’s life story delivers a window into 19th-century work, travel, and craftsmanship, all through the eyes of John Polhemus.
This edition pairs personal letters with a biographical sketch that illuminate a life in printing and the people who shaped it.
Polhemus’s letters transport you from bustling New York printing houses to the lanes and castles of Ireland, Italy, and beyond. The writing blends travel detail, social commentary, and snapshots of daily work, painting a portrait of a determined craftsman and his era.
- A travel diary that covers Cork, Dublin, Killarney, Florence, Naples, and more, with vivid scenes and historical notes.
- Insights into the printing trade, strikes, unions, and the resilience of a master printer.
- A biographical sketch that traces a printer’s career, character, and impact on an industry.
- Reflections on culture, emigration, and the social world of 19th-century America and Europe.
Ideal for readers drawn to historical letters, biographies of tradesmen, and vivid period travel writing.