This past weekend was immense in terms of moving towards having a working letterpress setup.

It started with a trip to Silverton, Ore.–I am always amazed at how long that drive takes–to pick up a type cabinet full of type, accessories and a Kelsey Exceslsior 5×8″ press. I didn’t need the press, but it was part of the shebang.

Type cabinet shoved partially into hatch of Subaru WRX, type drawers perched dangerously behind our heads, we headed back into town. For the rest of the day we scoured the cabinet–a 20-drawer oak beaut by the Hamilton Mfg. Co., circa early 1900′s, probably around 1905–oiled and cleaned things, organized type and accessories. David built me a small rack for my rollers (it’s best not to store them on the press and definitely not unsupported: they’ll flatten out).

Sunday, we finished up the organization and then heaved the stuff from the garage into the house–no minor feat. It rained on us. Carl helped.

Mostly what I was after with this purchase was the type cabinet and the type. Some of it is rather lovely ATF type, a lot of it is rather meh. But now I have space for more type. I also got an entire drawer full of spaces, which is wonderful.

I don’t need the press I picked up this weekend, so I have cleaned it up and am selling it:
on Briarpress