Letterpress in Wrexham

I was lucky enough to have a good root around an old print shop last weekend in Wrexham. Rob called me a few weeks ago to let me know that he was selling some of his letterpress equipment as he had recently retired. I managed to tie-in a visit up there on a trip to Telford and spent a great couple of hours looking around and having a chat.

Rob had already managed to contact some museums who took two of his presses but there is still a large Thompson Automic Platen Press that needs a new home. Unless he can find a taker it will have to go to scrap which is a massive shame. These machines have been beautifully made and engineered so I'd love to see the press continue to be used. If you're interested or know of anyone who may be able to help, please get in touch with me. I guess the main reason these machines do have to be scrapped is there sheer size and weight. The Thompson is at least 2.5 tonnes so to move to a new home would take a lot of effort. Rob also has an even bigger Wharfedale press which had to be built within the building and who's roller alone is 1.5 tonnes. I doubt very much that someone could stick that in the back of a Transit.

I managed to get myself some more manageable equipment in the form of some cases of woodtype which I'm very happy about and I've got my eye on some more metal type, spacers, and leading to add to the collection. There are also some empty type cases which, when polished up, will make a fantastic place to keep some of your pretty things and nick-nacks. Again, if you're interested in any of this, please let me know and hopefully we can appreciate some of this wonderful stuff for a few more years...