Specials

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

The stores are now closed - but if you're struggling to source something then please do get in touch and we'll try to help.

This is to be an ever-evolving page for those things we only have one or two of.

All sizes and weights are approximate.

Adana ‘Eight-Five’

Excellent Condition

With Rollers, Chase & More

SOLD

This is one of the later models (serial number D. 3201) in full working order. As you can see from the photos, it bears the splatters of working life but it only saw light use from its previous owner and it was well looked after so it should serve you for many years to come.

Includes:

Two rubber rollers that have hardly been used
One chase
Swiss Style Packing (bottom blanket and top layer packing)
Rubber side sticks
Lay quads

Delivery Not Included – Local Collection Only

Please select ‘Local collection’ when choosing delivery options at the checkout (we're on the Essex/Suffolk border). The press would fit into almost any car, but we can help you find a suitable carrier if necessary.

The Adana 8x5 remains the most popular letterpress machine in the world which means that both instruction and spares are easier to come by than for any other press we know of. Because of the simple, user-friendly operation, it's ideal for beginners and it's what we always recommend to anyone starting out. It's a huge disservice to call the Adana Eight-Five a beginners' press, though; this is a well designed jobbing press for professional work and has earned many a man's living.

Hempel Quoins

Pack of 2

£2.00

These are Hempel quoins in the N^o 1 size, which worked with a special ratchet key (not provided) for locking up formes. They were not very reliable, but were an improvement on the previous tapered stick & two wedges system. In turn, they were superseded by Wickersham's, a distant ancestor of todays modern Cornerstone quoins.

These antique quoins are a bit rusty (they may be up to 150 years old) and sold as novelties; educational, nice to look at, but not much use as quoins. See our modern quoins if you need something more practical!

‘Peerless’ N^o 2 11x7

Vertical Platen Press

SOLD

The only Peerless we've ever seen for sale in the UK, this is a most unusual machine but with the very familiar ‘clamshell’ operation. It's ideal for beginners, or as a step up from the Adana 8x5. Unlike the aluminium alloy Adana, this press is cast iron and steel.

The off-set stirrup handle makes this smart press rather compact, but at 11" x 7" it can tackle quite sizable jobs.

Recently restored, in full working order
3 brand new rubber rollers, never used
6 chases, internal dimensions 11" x 7"
Ink duct attachment for long runs
Stirrup-type impression handle

Delivery Not Included – Local Collection Only

Please select ‘Local collection’ when choosing delivery options at the checkout. We're selling this letterpress on behalf of Brian Rees, it's currently stored in a dry printshop in Bishop's Stortford, Herts and can be collected by arrangement. The press would fit into almost any car, but we can help you find a suitable carrier if necessary.

Treadle Platen No 1379

Messrs Harrild & Son

SOLD

Our much loved Harrild is an excellent machine in full running order. It has produced most of our books to date but we now have a larger press and need to make some space in the machine room!

Acquired from the trade in 2000 (it's still dirty!), this is a clamshell platen with an ‘open wide’ style of movement, rather similar to the American Gordon press, so it's very easy to feed.

This machine is unusual in many respects and includes:

Ink Duct attachment for longer runs
Foot brake attachment which works very well indeed
Recently improvemed with an infinitely adjustable bottom lay bar (made in-house) and micro-adjusters for the roller tracks
Three forme rollers in good condition
Six spare roller stocks all with spare runners
Original feed boards
Two ordinary chases with internal dimensions 288mm x 182mm plus a unusual 'skeleton ' chase which locates as normal but has inside dims 136 x 174 (also by Harrild)
Also included is a unique collection of spare parts to go with the press, gathered from an identical machine scrapped in about 1998.

It is obviously exceptional to find a press from the 1900s with any spares at all, and the spares included with this press make it remarkably good value. If you'd like to see it in action before you buy, we can demonstrate it at any mutually convenient time.

We include in the price some dismantling (flywheel off, feed boards off etc) and would assist with loading onto your transport. A Transit van would be about right. The current location is ground level (in a dry garage) on the Essex/Suffolk border.

Please select ‘Local collection’ when choosing delivery options at the checkout.