The Stationers Guild

Anxious to learn more about Mr. Boddington’s Studio, Sheila and I went to New York City to meet the people behind this distinctive collection of letterpress wedding invitations. We were graciously received by Rebecca Schmidt-Ruebensaal, the Proprietor, and Gina Maher, a talented designer, in their 14th story studio with lovely views of midtown Manhattan.

Rebecca founded Mr. Boddington three years ago. She left behind a promising career in “conflict resolution” to devote her energies to designing fine stationery and custom invitations. Claiming that designing fine papers “is in my blood,” Rebecca is passionate about the craftsmanship that goes into making custom wedding invitations. Her distinctive designs have a “modern twist but honor old traditions in a stylish manner.”

We first “discovered” Mr. Boddington at the National Stationery Show in May. We were immediately attracted to the simulated calligraphy. When juxtaposed against more traditional font styles and sophisticated designs it adds a time-dimension to the invitation rarely encountered in our experience. Seeing a Mr. Boddington invitation for the first time is akin to discovering a precious family heirloom or an old love letter in your grandparents’ attic.

Mr. Boddington Letterpress Invitation

Rebecca created the distinctive typography or calligraphy fonts herself.  You may select from four distinctive styles depending on the effect you are trying to create.  When you pair this old-fashioned script with a contemporary design in letterpress, you create a custom work of art to be enjoyed and treasured for generations.  Although the actual printing is done off site, the paper applied to the back of the invitation or announcement as well as the envelope linings and invitation trimming are all done by hand at Mr. Boddington’s Manhattan Studio.  As we had the opportunity to observe first-hand, it is very much a hands-on effort.

Mr. Boddington Letterpress Invitation

Mr. Boddington does very little advertising, but they have built a very successful business by word-of-mouth.  Rebecca claims to have enough projects to keep her busy until 2012.  When asked whether she intended to branch out into new directions, we were relieved to discover that she is very much focused on designing even more beautiful invitations.  Passionate about her craft, Rebeccas stated “if one is ever going to send fine stationery, it should be their wedding invitation or a birth announcement.”  Mr. Boddington’s stunning letterpress papers certainly honor those important milestones in a person’s life.