Wood and cast lead printing block. The block is rectangular with an organization logo on the metal print face. The logo consists of a central circle. Text following the upper curve of the circle reads: "Hellenic Brotherhood Mavrikioton." Text along the bottom curve of the circle reads: "Chicago, Ill." Inside the circle is the image of a crossed ships anchor with chain and a Christian cross. On the left and right of the circle is a single olive branch following the curvature of the circle. Above the circle is a dove with open wings and holding an olive branch in its beak. Below the circle are two hands, extending from the left and right respectively. The hands are joined in a handshake. Below the hands is a banner with billowing ends and text in the center that reads: "Organized June 1, 1930."

Donated by John Damianos. The printing block was used in a linotype printing machine. Linotype presses allowed for the casting of entire lines to be printed at a time. Linotype printing was eventually succeded by lythograph printing and computer typesetting during the 1960's and 1970's. This printing block was used by the Chicago-based, Damianos Greek Art Printing Company, which was founded in 1914. The Hellenic Brotherhood Mavrikioton was Chapter #76 of the Pan-Arcadian Federation of America and was located at 835 Washington Street, Oak Park, Illinois. The Pan-Arcadian Federation of America is a Greek-American organization of immigrants who descend from the region of Arcadia on the Peloponnese. The Federation was founded in 1931 in order to promote Hellenism, the principles of democracy, the preservation of Greek language and cultural heritage, as well as the Greek Orthodox Church, and to support Arcadian and Arcadian-American philanthropic, cultural, and educational institutions. The headquarters of the Pan-Arcadian Federation of America's Midwest District is based in Chicago. The imagery of the dove with olive branch is most commonly associated with 'peace,' but has strong symbolism in Christianity. The cross is the widely known symbol of Christianity. The anchor perhaps pertains to the trade of the region Mavriki is located or to the broader sense of Greek maritime tradition.

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