Here are some scattered comments from just a few of the many wonderful cards and letters which were sent to us following his passing:

In response to a query on the Letpress list, Arie Koelewyn posted a link to your tribute about your father. This I have just read, and thoroughly enjoyed these memories of a remarkable typographer; thank you for your efforts in constructing this memorial/biography of Mac. I made only a simple contribution to his magnum opus: a proof of Typo Upright Bold. But in the one telephone conversation I had with your father, I urged him to include in his designers index the vital data and full names of the type designers he had included in the Myriade edition, knowing how much work it would be to dig this out otherwise. He agreed, and I researched this information in the U-Texas libraries and sent several letters to Mac, which he incorporated. Mac listed the names of contributors to the book in his acknowledgments, and I note how few of them are yet living; but everyone I have discussed Mac with admires the man and is grateful for the immense labor that this book required. Very best wishes to you.

—David L. Kent         Archivist, Amalgamated Printers' Association since 1989           Austin, Texas

I worked with your father for 9½ years at Ketchum in Pittsburgh as an art director, an executive art director and finally a creative director in the late 60’s. He taught me a lot about metal type and all the traditions that came along with setting type correctly and artfully (it is nice to see metal type has come around again as fine type setting in Letterpress materials). When photo type came on the scene, your father was fit to be tied with the new method of typesetting. He always did what was asked but I know under his breath he was thinking… these young whipper snappers know nothing about type. I had to smooth the waters over when some of our hirers came from NYC and just wanted their type set extremely tight in kerning and leading. You father was a true gentleman and someone I always looked up to and felt honored to have worked with him. I thought after getting this article from a friend I would check the internet under Mac McGrew, Let’s Talk Type. I found your website and wanted to reach out to you and send my condolences of his passing. You were so lucky to have such a great inspiration as a father.

—Thomas McConnaughy         Winnetka, Illinois

The whole typography world has been greatly saddened by the news of your father’s passing. He was indeed a giant in his field, and his likes will probably not pass this way again. The finest memorial to him is the existence of his monumental work, “American Metal Typefaces of the Twentieth Century.” This will stand as the single best reference work in the field. It has been considered “The Bible” ever since the Preliminary Edition was first issued.

—Rick von Holdt         The Foolproof Press            Minburn, Iowa

I’m sure you are proud of your father and appreciate the esteem in which he is held in the world of printer’s types and typography. His landmark book on printing types is in the reference library of virtually everyone I know and has become the acknowledged authority on typeface design, manufacture, and identification.

—Kay Michael Kramer         The Printery            Kirkwood, Missouri

I know my husband Paul [Duensing], who passed away last November [2006], held your father in the highest regard. Somewhere in Heaven these two good men are “talking type”— maybe even with Gutenberg!

—Ginger Duensing         Watkinsville, Georgia

His landmark work on metal type will be valued forever.

—Fred Gage         National Amateur Press Association            Auburn, Maine

I’m glad that I had the privilege of holding conversations with your father. He leaves a space that can never be filled.

—Guy Miller         National Amateur Press Association            Springfield, Ohio

Mac McGrew meant so much to all of us printers. We referred to his book constantly and were guided so much by what he knew and what he passed on to all of us.

—James Kapplin         National Amateur Press Association            Baltimore, Maryland

His advice was always so meaningful. I respected his thoughts on typography. I will miss that.

—Harold Segal         National Amateur Press Association            Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

With his passing the typefounding fraternity has lost a dear, good friend, and I don’t have a good way of expressing my sorrow.

—Rich Hopkins         American Typecasting Fellowship            Terra Alta, West Virginia

Many thanks, Jon, for putting together the excellent tribute to Mac McGrew! I had the honor of meeting him and visiting with him at a couple of AAPA (American Amateur Press Association) conventions, and well remember his 3x5 “Let’s Talk Type” contributions in the AAPA bundles. Even from those small cards, I was impressed with his knowledge of the details of different type faces; but that was peanuts compared to the vast wealth of information in American Metal Typefaces of the Twentieth Century! I got the preliminary edition, and was able to contribute a couple of specimens to the final edition. I admit that I use that book constantly! I hardly know what I would do without it! A fellow printer told me that he reads it through from cover to cover, like a novel, at least twice a year. Good idea; I am trying to emulate that! I know that we cannot hold on to the giants like your father forever, but we certainly do miss them when they are gone! Best wishes to you, to Lucinda, and to the rest of the family!

—Ivan D. Snyder         Portland, Oregon

Jon, what a wonderful tribute to your dad. No doubt that he was a knowledgeable and gentle man who loved his work and wanted to share his knowledge and wisdom. Also, no doubt that the “ink and little trolleys” were passed along in the blood line. I’m sure the Good Lord found the right spot for him in the afterlife. Thanks for sharing his life.

—Tony Todisco         Rhinecliff, New York

Your beautiful tribute to him brought a tear to my eyes again. I did not know him personally, but we exchanged correspondence, especially during the years he was writing his type book. I have two copies—one I am keeping as new, and one as reference, and I am pleased that I was able to print several specimens that were included in the book. Among the other things you mention in your tribute, your father was indeed a gentleman. I also have a file of his interesting contributions to the APA bundle. I am happy that The Press of the Licorice Cat has a spokesman and will live on here at Briar Press.

—Elizabeth Nevin         Briar Press             briarpress.org