Historical Society offering Letterpress prints of ‘‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’

TOMAHAWK – The Tomahawk Area Historical Society is offering prints of a classic holiday poem in an effort to raise funds for the organization’s ongoing new museum project.

The Historical Society said heritage holiday prints of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” are done by Letterpress.

“The poem itself was set on Louie Heuser’s Linotype, a two-ton machine that in 1886 revolutionized printing of newspapers, books and magazines,” the Historical Society explained. “It allowed printers to typeset a ‘line of type’ instead of hand setting each letter. You’ll note the type is backwards until it is pressed against paper. The ornaments were placed by hand.”

Heuser ran it through his presses multiple times to get the multi-colored design and artwork, the Historical Society noted.

“The beautiful poem and accompanying explanation cards can be framed and make a wonderful gift or Christmas decoration,” the Historical Society stated. “It’s a holiday treasure you’ll want to share with a child(ren) or as a family every Christmas Eve.”

Prints are available at the Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce, 208 N. 4^th St., Tomahawk, for a $10.00 donation to the Historical Society. The organization is currently working to open a new museum that will feature Heuser’s antique print shop equipment, including his Linotype.

The print also will be available at the Old Kindergarten Museum, 18 E. Washington Ave., Tomahawk, during Hometown Christmas on Friday, Dec. 13.

For more information about the “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas" heritage prints and the Historical Society’s new museum project, email tomahawkhistsociety@gmail.com.