The last stop in New Orleans was at Fitzgerald Press, where owner John Fitzgerald — who began printing in Los Angeles — welcomed them warmly. (He even made a return visit to see us a few weeks later.)

While the trip was filled with joy, food, and the camaraderie of fellow printers, Enzo and Jon also took time to reflect on the South’s complex and often painful history. They visited the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson, the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, the Alabama State Capitol where Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as President of the Confederacy, and other sites of profound historical significance.

Educational, emotional, and full of unexpected connections, the Southern Swing was as enriching as it was fun. They can say for certain that the craft of letterpress is alive and well in the South, though it is more prevalent in some areas than others. In Nashville, there is the cultural institution of Hatch Show Print keeping new generations of people informed and excited. In Jackson, on the other hand, their primary visit was Ed Inman’s garage. One is a massive operation that draws tons of visitors and sells tickets, the other off a sleepy street that Enzo and Jon would not have known about if it were not for Facebook. But reflecting on visiting both is a reminder that print shops come in all shapes and sizes and hold equal value. At the end of the day, both are keeping the craft alive and still running some incredible equipment. And that is what the printing tour is about - making connections and cross-pollenating within the various print communities. 

For Enzo, who is poised to be the next generation to take over Aardvark, this trip further reinforced the idea that the love of letterpress is prevalent in people of all ages and backgrounds, from giant commercial shops to garage printers. And that paints a positive portrait of the future of Aardvark and letterpress as a whole. Enzo and Jon are grateful to every person who welcomed them along the way—and for the chance to experience the South through both its presses and its people.