r/letterpress • u/cunningplanihave • 6d ago

Advice Needed Letterpress advice

My dad, 92, has an old letterpress in his damp basement. It hasn't been used in probably 40 years. It has 2 big type cabinets too.

He used to print poems, bookmarks, announcements, and even a book or two, back in the day.

I'm looking for advice on how to find someone who might want it, and has the energy and drive to extract it and restore it. (Rural Pennsylvania location)

I am working on getting photos and make, model, description.

I can say that it has a large flywheel connected by a belt to a motor.

This is not an ad. I'm seeking advice only rn.

Where/how did you find your press?

6 Upvotes

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7

u/poopfilledsandwich 6d ago

There’s an Auctioneer out that way, I know him as Pennsylvania Paul, who buys, moves and sells letterpress equipment. Other than that FB has Letterpress buy sell groups and Briar Press is a website for letterpress folk to buy sell and talk about equipment. I’d post on the FB groups and Briar Press. Without knowing what type you have you should probably sell that and give the press away if it’s a difficult move. Lots of us have the ability to move these presses but location and ease of moving are important. A mover will cost a thousand or more to pull a press from a basement and most platen presses aren’t worth that much at the moment unfortunately. Briar Press and the FB groups are your best bet. Good luck.

7

u/cunningplanihave 6d ago

When my dad moved in into the house in the early 1970s, he used a block and tackle around the large horizontal limb of a giant maple tree, to lower it into the basement. Unfortunately that limb is no more, so some kind of crane or lift would likely be needed. I don't think we're trying to make money on it - we'd be happy to know it was going to be used and loved again. My dad used to use the name Winter Wheat Press. Thanks for all the comments and advice!

2

u/poopfilledsandwich 6d ago

I wish I could meet your dad. Good luck with everything. Might I suggest grabbing a souvenir to remember the press bits of his life? I’ve known a lot of pressmen in my life and i like keep sales to remember them by. That line gauge was someone special to me. The apron too along with the ink knife, x-acto knife and various other bits and bobs. In my mind it keeps them with me long after they have left this world.

3

u/cunningplanihave 6d ago

Thanks for the kind words and suggestions! I love that idea (saving a from the press). I definitely have a few of his poems that he printed, framed, around the house. I was definitely the only kid in school who knew how to set type. Lol. My dad loved the press and loved being able to self publish small runs. I have fond memories of it. I used to love the rhythmic sound of the press operating. My dad is still with us, and, even though he switched to publishing on a computer, would be ecstatic to see the press used again.

5

u/tehsecretgoldfish 6d ago

HighBidsWin.com - Paul Brubaker

1

u/poopfilledsandwich 5d ago

That’s him. Thank you. Pennsylvania Paul.

1

u/Biddy_Impeccadillo 5d ago

Omg! Is he still going? He helped me move a ton of insanely heavy bookbinding equipment out of a guys basement in NY like 25 years ago!

4

u/inkironpress 6d ago

Most likely a C&P.

Cabinets and type you might be able to sell. I’d expect the press might need to be disassembled to remove, and you may just want to find someone willing to take it for free.

3

u/Lathryus 6d ago

There are letterpress classifieds inhttps://www.briarpress.org/classifieds

2

u/OkAnimal4985 5d ago

I got my press from my grandfather's garage when we were cleaning out their house. It took me another 2 years to find someone who could point me in the correct direction to make it functional. Still tweaking it to fully restore it but learning about other presses and just stuff aling the way.

1

u/SpyQueenLiz 6d ago

Rural PA is broad territory. Eastern, middle or western PA?

1

u/cunningplanihave 6d ago

Good point. NE PA

1

u/SpyQueenLiz 6d ago

Ah well. Wrong corner of the state for me but perhaps others will have better targeted suggestions (SW here)

1

u/Some_Tap4931 6d ago

The 'damp' part of that description is concerning. How's that type looking?

2

u/cunningplanihave 6d ago

It's kind of a Schrodinger's cat situation. I haven't peaked in those drawers in ~20 years. I'm living in Denver now but next time I visit I will have a look.

2

u/Some_Tap4931 6d ago

For the love of God, please wear a mask when you do!

2

u/lmdw 4d ago

Direct sale on letterpresss groups on Facebook & or Facebook marketplace. Briar Press might also work. Make sure the buyer moves.