Letterpress Art Poster: "The Fall of the House of Usher" Shorthand

“During the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day in the autumn of the year, when the clouds hung oppressively low in the heavens, I had been passing alone, on horseback, through a singularly dreary tract of country; and at length found myself, as the shades of the evening drew on, within view of the melancholy House of Usher.”

The opening line from Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher” inspired this art print. Throughout the Twentieth Century, secretaries would subscribe to magazines, like The Gregg Writer, to stay updated on their shorthand skills. One issue from 1923 (one hundred years ago!) featured a shorthand reading exercise of the classic tale. Reading has been, and continues to be, important to business—so this print serves to honor Banned Books Week 2023, especially since Poe has been a banned author for “The Tell Tale Heart.”

All sales will be donated to the American Library Association in appreciation of the work they do to support readers. The size of the letterpress art print measures 11 by 17 inches and is considered “ledger size”—fitting for the connections between print and business. The black paper contrasts with the silver, illuminated shorthand lettering, a reminder of the importance of all types of literacy.