Bowne & Co., Stationers

Making a good impression

You can almost hear the drum go rat-a-tat and the fife tootle out the strains of Yankee Doodle. You’re transported back in time to the American Revolution. New York was emerging as an economic epicenter of the Colonies and new businesses were sprouting up everywhere. Established in 1775, Bowne & Co. is the city’s oldest business operating under the same name – and still a working press! – with a gift shop drawing international visitors. Its location on Water Street, part of South Street Seaport Museum, replicates a traditional printing and stationers’ shop offering an authentic earlyAmerican experience.

Nearly 250 years ago, the original store, founded by merchant and philanthropist Robert Bowne, sold dry goods. Owing to its proximity to banks and investment firms on Wall Street, Bowne later focused on stationery and printing, specializing in financial documents. Original inventory lists show gilt-edge writing paper, straw paper, ledger books, and seamen’s journals. Today the print shop recalls an era when everything was done by hand. There is still handset wood and metal moveable type, and seven historic hand-operated letterpresses. Skilled pressmen crank up 19th-century equipment to carry on a tradition of small-job printing for clients who value authenticity and handcrafted work. Bowne & Co.’s artist and master printer Robert Warner is on site to share his expertise.

The charm of Bowne’s atmospheric gift shop lures you with its selection of creative souvenirs produced on their antiquated presses. Impress someone, bring home a sample: Map of Lower Manhattan Circa 1835 Broadside; or a set of six Style Coasters illustrating the characters of a classic typeface; or Rebus, a printed adventure story told with pictures interspersed with words; or assorted postcard sets, like Flying V birds, and Frogz on Bikez. One thing is certain: whatever you take away will be hot off the press!

Address 211 Water Street (near Fulton Street), New York 10038, +1 646. 315.4478, www.southstreetseaportmuseum.org, bowne@seany.org | Getting there Subway: Fulton St (2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, J), City Hall (R); bus: M 9, M 15, M 22, M 10 | Hours Wed – Sun 11am – 5pm | Tip Take a fantastic boat tour up and down the East River for the cost of a subway ride on the NYC Ferry at Pier 11.