Upon reading January 2023 issue, I came across on page 109 a picture of a linotype machine. My grandfather, Charles E. Russell, at age nine, began selling the Evening Telegram on the streets of St. John’s. The type for the Telegram at that time was composed by hand, and the paper was rolled off the press by hand-power. It was the custom in those days for the paperboys, while waiting for their papers, to make themselves generally useful around the office. So it was that Charles began to acquire a general knowledge of the mechanics of the production of a newspaper. It was not long when Charles Russell became a member of the staff of the Telegram, under the watchful eye of the founder, the late William J. Herder, until the age of 17 when, with his mother and other members of the family, moved to Toronto. With a glowing letter of recommendation from Mr. Herder, Charles found employment at T. Eaton company catalogue department and then with the Methodist Publishing House (later known as the Reyerson Press). While working in Toronto, the linotype machine was invented in New York. By the mid 1890’s, a number of the machines began arriving in Toronto newspaper offices. Charles had occasion to see one in action in the Toronto Telegram. On a visit back to St. John’s he called his old employer, Mr. W.J. Herder of the Evening Telegram and explained to him the advantages of having one of the machines. On returning to Toronto, Charles, thought not an agent of the company, nevertheless negotiated the sale of the first two linotype machines to the Evening Telegram – one of which could be that in your picture. Charles Russell was given a substantial rebate on the purchase price of a new linotype he bought for the Bay Roberts Guardian (which he started in 1909 and ran until 1949) in 1923. His son, David, operated a print shop using all the original equipment until his passing in 1990. The shop and machinery were donated and are now on display the Road to Yesterday museum of Bay Roberts. The linotype is one of only two that is still useable. The other is in an Ottawa museum. While growing up in Corner Brook, my father Wilson (Charles E. Russell’s son) worked as a linotype operator for the Western Star. While I was in elementary school there were many days I stopped into the office, waiting for my father to leave work. Back then you were able to hang out helping out with small chores, and in particular by my father’s machine, fascinated by its workings. In my job in retail, I was responsible for doing ads, processed on these machines. I hope this may be of some interest to some people in your operation.   Ed Russell Marystown, NL