ImPRESSive News
I'd like to take a little detour from our renovation-related posts to share the following:
A few weeks back, while rummaging at the local school surplus warehouse, I spotted something truly fabulous: A Craftsmen Machinery Company Superior letterpress. Of course, at the time, I didn't know how fabulous a find a Craftsmen Machinery Company Superior letterpress was.
Now, I've always loved fine letterpress printing and had considered it an option for our wedding invites. Once I discovered that the average cost would be in the $1,500+ range, though, that option went out the window. Suddenly, now before us, was an opportunity to buy this lovely gem, apparently in near-mint condition, with storage cabinet and oodles of press-related bits and pieces. Which meant not only could we have letterpress invites, but also business cards, greeting cards, and oodles more.
The only thing holding us back was red tape, so to speak. The press would still need to be formally "released," which basically means that prior to selling anything, the surplus warehouse needs to make sure that it's not wanted by a school.
I went back every week on the one day they're open, Wednesdays, only to be told that it had not yet been released for sale. One of the guys that work at the warehouse, Miguel, knew quite well that I was interested. The fact that I told him, "Unless a school wants it, consider it sold" might have something to do with it.
In the mean time, I scoured the internet and learned as much as I could about all things letterpress. I joined a fabulous website, the briarpress.org, ordered books to get us started, and, oh yes, even designed a logo for our little letterpress. (Apparently, it's tradition that private press owners name their presses. A list of names has even been maintained for decades, if not centuries.)
After lots of names/logos, this is where we ended up:
Snazzy, if I do say so myself. One of my more beloved logo designs, too. Best of all, we received confirmation that "Mighty Ink Letterpress" was an available print name, which was great news considering we already registered mightyinkletterpress.com.
Well, last Wednesday, it became official. I arrived at the warehouse bright and early and got the news that it had finally been released for sale. The final price for the CMC Superior letterpress, the cabinet, type trays, and all other bits and pieces? A mere $107.00, which included tax. Mind you, the bits and pieces included the following metal font packages still "in wraps":
I get the feeling that the whole thing's been stuck in some corner in a school basement since the '70s. (I'm guessing the press itself is probably a '65 - '68 model.) All told, after the gobs and gobs of research I've done, I figure that it's collectively worth about $1,200. Possibly even more.
Well, we've made room in the studio. The how-to books are on their way. Now, we just have to go pick it up. Mind you, the press alone weighs 200 lbs. (Thank God we have terrazzo floors!) We can't wait to get started... lots to learn, lots to learn. We can't wait.
Jacqui and Craig
A few weeks back, while rummaging at the local school surplus warehouse, I spotted something truly fabulous: A Craftsmen Machinery Company Superior letterpress. Of course, at the time, I didn't know how fabulous a find a Craftsmen Machinery Company Superior letterpress was.
Now, I've always loved fine letterpress printing and had considered it an option for our wedding invites. Once I discovered that the average cost would be in the $1,500+ range, though, that option went out the window. Suddenly, now before us, was an opportunity to buy this lovely gem, apparently in near-mint condition, with storage cabinet and oodles of press-related bits and pieces. Which meant not only could we have letterpress invites, but also business cards, greeting cards, and oodles more.
The only thing holding us back was red tape, so to speak. The press would still need to be formally "released," which basically means that prior to selling anything, the surplus warehouse needs to make sure that it's not wanted by a school.
I went back every week on the one day they're open, Wednesdays, only to be told that it had not yet been released for sale. One of the guys that work at the warehouse, Miguel, knew quite well that I was interested. The fact that I told him, "Unless a school wants it, consider it sold" might have something to do with it.
In the mean time, I scoured the internet and learned as much as I could about all things letterpress. I joined a fabulous website, the briarpress.org, ordered books to get us started, and, oh yes, even designed a logo for our little letterpress. (Apparently, it's tradition that private press owners name their presses. A list of names has even been maintained for decades, if not centuries.)
After lots of names/logos, this is where we ended up:
Snazzy, if I do say so myself. One of my more beloved logo designs, too. Best of all, we received confirmation that "Mighty Ink Letterpress" was an available print name, which was great news considering we already registered mightyinkletterpress.com.
Well, last Wednesday, it became official. I arrived at the warehouse bright and early and got the news that it had finally been released for sale. The final price for the CMC Superior letterpress, the cabinet, type trays, and all other bits and pieces? A mere $107.00, which included tax. Mind you, the bits and pieces included the following metal font packages still "in wraps":
I get the feeling that the whole thing's been stuck in some corner in a school basement since the '70s. (I'm guessing the press itself is probably a '65 - '68 model.) All told, after the gobs and gobs of research I've done, I figure that it's collectively worth about $1,200. Possibly even more.
Well, we've made room in the studio. The how-to books are on their way. Now, we just have to go pick it up. Mind you, the press alone weighs 200 lbs. (Thank God we have terrazzo floors!) We can't wait to get started... lots to learn, lots to learn. We can't wait.
Jacqui and Craig
Labels: letterpress
posted by Jacqui and Craig at
10:52 AM
|
0 comments
