Researchers may access born digital materials by requesting to view them in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department. in advance.
Materials in Box 9 (Lynda Hopkins's West Virginia history scrapbook and a hardcover book printed by Pioneer Press) are currently closed for additional preservation work.
Gifts of Hopkins, Richard, 2017 August 22, 2017 May 7, and 2020 February 27.
Richard "Rich" Hopkins is a West Virginia-based printer. He founded the Pioneer Press in 1973 and Hill & Dale Private Press and Typefoundry in 1963 and operated the presses with his late wife, Lynda, in Preston County, WV. Prior to starting these businesses, Hopkins had been a hobby printer since childhood. He is one of the founding members of the American Typecasting Fellowship and served as the publisher of the organization's newsletter from its first issue in 1978 to circa 2020. The Pioneer Press closed in 2017, but Hopkins continues as the Proprietor at Hill & Dale. Hopkins is a West Virginia University alumnus, having earned his bachelor's degree in 1961, and he later joined the WVU faculty to teach graphic design, advertising production, and typography.
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Richard Hopkins, Printer, Papers, A&M 4637, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.
Includes a sampling of the printing work done by Pioneer Press and Hill & Dale Private Press and Typefoundry, such as books, posters, printed artwork, event programs, corporate mail solicitations, magazines, and stationery. The collection also features materials related to Hopkins's work as a member of the American Typecasting Fellowship (ATF), including several copies of newsletters, all printed and distributed by Hopkins at Hill & Dale, and his own publications about the art of printing. Additionally, the collection includes a scrapbook completed by Lynda Hopkins circa 1953 regarding West Virginia history and culture. Much of Hopkins's commercial work done at Pioneer Press is focused on local history, regional organizations, and other WV- or WVU-related content. These materials are located in series 1. The Hill & Dale materials are more often related to Hopkins's passion for the art and history of printing, letterpress, type, and typefaces. These materials, along with ATF newsletters, Hopkins's own published books, and similar items, are located in series 2.
Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.
Series 1 is comprised of a sample of materials printed at Pioneer Press. It features a range of their products, including books, posters, printed artwork, event programs, corporate mail solicitations, magazines, and stationery. The press primarily served clients local to their Terra Alta shop, like regional magazines, WVU Athletics, and WV-based corporations. Those local interests are reflected in materials of this series. The series also includes materials related to the press's internal operations, like order forms, correspondence, and advertisements. Along with these items are several pre-printing mock-ups and illustration boards that have symbols and transparent color overlays taped into place, which offer insight into the processes of commercial printing (Box 8).
Series 2 is comprised of books, pamphlets, and other products printed at the Hill & Dale Private Press and Typefoundry (H&D) and some additional related materials. H&D is driven by Hopkins's passion for printing, including letterpress, which is reflected in the kinds of materials printed there. The publications are typically about the history of printing, current trends in the field, or notable workmanship. The series also includes H&D texts that were authored by Hopkins, like
Materials in Box 9 (Lynda Hopkins's West Virginia history scrapbook and a hardcover book printed by Pioneer Press) are currently closed for additional preservation work.