Sigmundur Guðmundsson printing artist was born October 18, 1853 in Ólafsdalur in Dalasýsla county. Sigmundur was a major contributor to the reforms that were made in the print industry in Iceland before the turn of the century. He was considered the most talented and artistic printer of the country at that time. In 1871, Sigmundur began printing studies at Einar Þórðarson’s printer at Landsprentsmiðjan printing press in Reykjavík. In the fall of 1876, Sigmundur was sent to Copenhagen to buy equipment and fonts for the newly created Ísafoldarprentsmiðja printing press, where he was the main printer for almost a decade. Later, Sigmundur worked at the Félagsprentsmiðjan printing press, along with his work as an agent for emigration to North America . In the spring of 1883, Sigmundur pursued a press in Scotland and fonts for his own Sigmundur Guðmundsson’s printing press, which he ran with his family over the next few years. His choice of types and ornaments was well-known and he had letterpress in high esteem. Sigfús Eymundsson book publisher bought Sigmundur’s printing press when he went to America for about a year in his work as an agent of emigration. After returning home, Sigmundur went back to the service of the Ísafoldarprentsmiðja printing press in part. In 1896, Sigmundur was still in the business of supplying a new press for Ísafoldarprentsmiðja printing press and an oil engine to move it instead of manual power, the first machine of that type that came to Iceland. It is believed that his work on the oil engine affected his health badly, but Sigmundur died from lung corrosion in 1898. From 9 April an compilation of Sigmundur’s print art, that Unnar Örn and Goddur have compiled, can be seen on an exhibition in the National Library of Iceland.
