Barbara Henry

Woman with straight gray hair stands in front of type cases

Bio

Barbara Henry (she/her) holds an MFA in painting from American University and studied typography at the University of Iowa with Kay Amert.

From 1985 to 2004 she was the Curator of Bowne & Co., Stationers at The South Street Seaport Museum in New York City.

In 1980’s, she began producing her own books under the name Harsimus Press. Henry named Harismus Press for Harsimus Cove, a New Jersey neighborhood located across the Hudson River from the southernmost tip of Manhattan. “Harismus” is derived from an Indigenous Leni Lenape name meaning “Crow’s Marsh”. Henry dedicated Harismus Press to the exploration and interpretation of texts in metal and wood type​ and the relationships between text and illustration. Books she produced have ranged from stories told in linoleum cuts to specimen books of metal and wood type to chapbooks of poetry and literary criticism. Harismus Press is now located in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, by the Manatawny Creek—which is also an Indigenous Lenape name.

In addition to her work at Harismus Press, Henry teaches workshops at Center for Book Arts in New York.


Disciplines

  • Artist Books
  • Calligraphy
  • Fine Press & Fine Binding
  • Literary/Writing
  • Letterpress
  • Painting
  • Photography
  • Printmaking
  • Publishing
  • Teaching

Artworks

Learn More

harsimuspress.com

Your cart is empty.