Letterpress Printer

Juan Pascoe

Juan Nicanor Pascoe, born in Chicago in 1946, began his journey in letterpress printing as an apprentice to Harry Duncan at the Cummington Press in Iowa. In 1975, after moving to Mexico, he founded the Taller Martín Pescador, where he hand-set type, inked, and printed each page on a nineteenth-century handpress. Over time, Pascoe’s press gained a reputation for publishing works by major Latin American authors like Octavio Paz and Gabriel García Márquez, while maintaining traditional craftsmanship in every edition.

Pascoe’s dedication to the craft of letterpress printing and his use of historical methods have made him a significant figure in the revival of fine press printing. His meticulous attention to detail is evident in projects such as his printing of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and his concern for the future of typography reflects a deep commitment to preserving this art form. In 2011, Pascoe was awarded the Premio Eréndira for his contributions to Mexican arts and culture.