Manufaktur Willi Beck, Dachau
Participating in the Walz program was a great honor for me, and I am infinitely grateful to the “Verein für die Schwarzekunst e.V.” for making this incredible journey possible for me.
This early immersion became the cornerstone for “Mein Morgenstern,” a project deeply entwined with typographic traditions and the poetic work of Christian Morgenstern.
My journey into the art of movable metal typesetting began at Manufaktur Willi Beck in Dachau, marking my first Walz station.
It was here that I discovered the discipline and elegance of traditional hand-set type. Guided by an experienced designer, typesetter, and printmaker, I learned foundational principles like metal types, spacing, alignment, using special measurements like pica and cicero, and the quiet patience it takes to let each letter come alive.
This early immersion became the cornerstone for “Mein Morgenstern,” a project deeply entwined with typographic traditions and the poetic work of Christian Morgenstern. This is for his 111 death anniversary.
My time at Willi’s atelier was limited to just four days. Having recently returned from Japan with many commitments, Willi graciously dedicated this short period to mentor me before I moved on to Hilversum, Netherlands. Knowing even a bit of the craft beforehand helped me feel more confident as I progressed to the next stage. Prior to my visit, I had prepared a draft for the poem, which I emailed to him alongside several options to choose from.
He selected one version and made some corrections so that, upon my arrival, I could dive straight into casting the mold. In these brief but intense four days, it felt as though I had been taken through a crash course in typesetting. I managed to finish molds for two pages of the “Mein Morgenstern” project, as well as a poster produced using wooden molds. I gained a wealth of understanding, though I remain very much at the beginning of this journey.
That said, it isn’t easy to quantify how much one can absorb in such a short time—it takes years of learning to master the art of typesetting after all. What became abundantly clear is my deepened respect for this craft, one that demands precision, technical expertise, and unyielding patience. Those four days gave me an indispensable start, leaving me a little more prepared for the journey ahead.
The “Mein Morgenstern” project by the “Verein für die Schwarze Kunst e.V.” is a tribute to the poet Christian Morgenstern, commemorating the 111th anniversary of his death.
- “Die Schildkröte” typeset using metal type.
Facts:
Over 4,000 hand-scooped sheets were produced at the Papiermühle Homburg; typesetting was executed in Bleisatz (lead type) and complemented by linocut, woodcut, and lithography; nearly 10,000 impressions were printed across six artisanal print workshops; binding was carried out by 22 bookbinding artists, each interpreting the poetic content in their own way; and, in total, 29 former journeyman scholarship holders (Walzstipendiaten)—alongside designers, printers, and binders—contributed their expertise.
2. Morgenstern book sample to enjoy during the “Vernissage”.
