Printers ink ran through Bill McGarry’s blood. His father owned a newspaper where
Bill learned to set type as a child. When he grew up, Bill operated his own printing company in Carver County, Minnesota.

While the industry changed, Bill never lost his love of old style type and letterpress. For more than 20 years, he collected enough antique type and equipment to fill the family’s garage and rented storage.

Upon his death Bill’s family wanted to reclaim their garage and make sure his treasured collection ended up with people who shared his passion for letterpress. They hired Lawrence Auctioneering.

The family met with Brent Lawrence, president of Lawrence Auctioneering. They wanted an active role. One of Bill’s daughters with marketing experience designed the sale bill using his old type. She placed ads and created printer aprons for the family to wear. Another daughter who works at an area bank cashiered it. A son who owns a local restaurant ran the food stand. And a longtime friend and letterpress expert appraised Bill’s collection, some of it dating back to the Civil War era.

The sale attracted letterpress collectors from as far away at California and Ohio. Family and bidders enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow letterpress enthusiasts. And, while
bidders came seeking bargains, many remarked at the prices Bill’s collection fetched. One press went for three times its appraised value.

“Mom grossed way more than we ever guessed,” one of Bill’s daughters later wrote. “More importantly to us, it was a wonderful tribute to dad. We heard so many great stories about dad and everyone was clearly excited about his collection. It was the kind of day that he would have loved.”