Bill Moran is a third-generation letterpress printer based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. His Letterbugs, which constitute HMCT Archive’s latest acquisition, are printed on 140-year-old presses with type designed in the 19th century. They have a sturdy, “I’m going to be here long after you” attitude, just like insects. He started making Letterbugs in 1999 as a part of Saint Paul’s annual Art Crawl. He describes it as his “cheeky attempt to bring to life art that crawls. I like letters and I like bugs. A hybrid seemed like a good idea and 25 years later I’m still making them.”
Moran’s work is in the permanent collections of the Gutenberg Museum, Tipoteca Italiana, The Newberry Library, The Haley Gallery in Nashville, and Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum. As the official archive of the Letterbugs, HMCT’s collection will continue to grow as more prints are produced.
The Letterbugs collection is currently on display in the HMCT Archive Showcases.
HMCT Showcases
950 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105
Hours: Open daily 8 am–10 pm
