Yesterday I had a chance to visit a tiny museum in Brussels run by Henri Thomaes (82!). 20 years ago, when the printer from Evere had officially retired, he kept his workspace and turned it into museum where time seems to have come to a standstill.
Throughout his career in the graphic industry, Henri Thomaes collected various objects related to his business, from wood/ metal type and type-casting equipment to cylinder and platen presses. All these objects are now carefully kept in his Typography Museum and frequently used for production of Thomaes' self initiated projects.
click to enlarge
In this museum, many objects of the past still live today through the expertise of Henry Thomaes. He wants the visitors to travel through the graphic path from idea to print. Typography is his passion. Visitors can witness some beautiful examples of typographic works, including the family tree typeset by Henry Thomaes and a type rules poster (these were not for sale, unfortunately).
With his Typography Museum, Henry Thomaes wants to highlight the importance of sufficient attention to typography wich significantly increase the quality and elegance of a print. "A book, a poster or a simple business card is immediately enhanced when one meets the typographic rules." says Henry Thomaes. Couldn't agree more!
Typography Museum, Evere
visits by appointment - contact
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Museum of Typography in Evere: 'The best machine is a typewriter from 1890' - video
(Dutch spoken, with English subtitles)
Printing museums in BE