Monday 16 March 2009

Behold!


A press, found at Milnerton market yesterday! It's more a book press than a printing press, but by all accounts should work fine for printing. It's reassuringly covered in blobs and smears of old ink.


And just look at the label! All I need now is some Dryad leaflets to show me how to use it properly.

So alas, I don't think I'll be building my own press and sharing the recipe. But for anyone desperate for a press of their own, this and this kept me awake at night, plotting. Or you could buy one, from the successors of Dryad Handicrafts.

The next task is sourcing oil-based blockprinting or letterpress ink. Not so easy, but I'd prefer to buy it locally, instead of having to order from overseas.

18 comments:

Alex Sunday said...

what a great find!

Anonymous said...

lucky girl !!

Anonymous said...

Cor! How utterly marvellous! O the wonder of Dryad! I wonder if I have the relevant leaflet in my collection. If I do, I could scan it and send it (it would be out of copyright).

jules said...

oooh cool! I had half-hearted dreams of building a letterpress to do my wedding invitations last year, but luckily for my sanity, my gocco won out. But I'm excited to see how you rig this baby up!

Susan Scott said...

How amazing that you found one! Happy for you!

Denise Kiggan said...

What an exciting find! You must have been soooo happy when you spotted it!

Anonymous said...

YAAAAAAY!!!
DUCKING COOL!
FINALLY!

jac

Heather Moore said...

Yippeeee! A gift from the gods for sure! I'm so thrilled and can't imagine how excited you must be!!

Elv Freiheit said...

Brilliant find. Milnerton market is full of treasure!

Inklore said...

Such a fantastic find! Can't wait to see what you do with it...

Anonymous said...

Oh my! What a fantastic find. Good ol' Milnerton market!
Looking forward to seeing your pressings...

Pattern and Perspective said...

I hope you make fantastic things with it (eventually)!

Wendren said...

That looks like it's going to provide endless fun. :)

Anairam said...

How fantastic! I must visit that market one day - what a find! SO are you going to be printing books soon? Zines? I am still conceptualising my zine - but it will be a case of black and white photocopies and staples, I fear!

Dee said...

Wow! what a fantastic find, and such a beautiful looking object.

kat said...

Good for you - look forward to what you produce!

Gallery32 said...

WOW! That is dead sexy! I love the design. I wonder if I can copy it?

Kiran Ravilious said...

Jesse, I thought I recognised your press! I've been looking for one because it was made where I live, in Leicester!