This 1890 No. 3 is from my personal collection. It is one of the finest originals you will find anywhere and I have seen a great many. I just cannot justify having two of the same model, and need the room for a Potter proof press that I have committed to purchase so I can use my wood type. It is without issues. It has not been printed on by me as it is still in original as found condition. It will just need new rollers to begin printing. It has its original cores and metal trucks. The pictures show a fountain attached. That does not go with the press. It belongs to my other No. 3 and was installed to see if it fit this later model. (my other No. 3 is a 1877 version) There is a surprising amount of difference between these two versions and I did a study of those differences. It needs to go to someone who understands and appreciates the significance of an original unspoiled example. The price is $2495.00. It includes two chases, my custom roller/platen adjusting gauge, two type trays of foundry type(your choice) from about 20 trays of nice fonts, some sized redboard, tympan, and instruction on the press. This would have to be picked up as I will not ship the press. Pearls can be had for less, but, I believe that you will not find one this complete or in this condition. There are no breaks, welds, or repairs what so ever. This must be picked up at my shop which has easy access from Interstate 95. Again, I will absolutely not ship. It also must be done quickly as I need the space for the new proof press.  Easily disassembles to load into your vehicle.

John

Up for sale is a great Hamilton type cabinet for a tabletop press. 10 matching drawers are filled with type and other letterpress goodies. The metal type ranges in size from 6 points to 48 points and is clean and well organized. The faces vary and are all good readable fonts. One drawer has some wood type and other nice things. There is a monogram set that is 100% complete, a nice little galley, a composing stick, gauge pins, a number wheel, type brush, a handy box with decorations, circular quads for setting type on an arc or curve, small box of decorative hearts, spades, diamonds, clubs, linoleum blocks to cut your own plate, and some odd small plates of various images. There is a sizable amount of metal furniture in another drawer with cast numbers. The cabinet is very sturdy and capable of supporting the heaviest of the tabletop presses out there and keeps a nice assortment of type and odds and ends all in one convenient place. I will not ship this item, but, I am located close to route 95 and you get to visit an beautiful rural town and an interesting letterpress studio. Price: $450.00  Sold, thank you!

Contact:  john.falstrom@att.net

I have just completed restoration on a Cook’s Victor.  It dates from the late 1800′s and the quality is impressive.  It works on the same engineering principal as the Pilot, but,  in my opinion is actually better built.  In their day Victors became such competition to Kelsey, that he purchased Cook’s company and soon discontinued making the press.  That’s one way to beat the competition!    As with all my press sales, there is no shipping.  You must come to my shop to pick up the press.  My shop is 10 minutes off route 95 in a  beautiful rural town.(Lyme, CT.)  When you come, you will get a free letterpress introductory lesson and print on your new press.  You can stay as long as needed to feel comfortable.  Also included is my proprietary combination roller/platen adjusting gauge.  The gauge helps simplify two adjustments beginners often find challenging, inking and impression.   The press includes new rollers which have not been installed as yet.  Get started right, with a high quality press that has been properly restored and adjusted.  One that you will print on before taking it home.  The handle on this press is reversable so righty or lefty can be happy.  The finish on the press is a three step paint process that has a nice soft look much like it would have had originally.  If you are looking for a high quality press and don’t have room for a floor model come take a look.  This is a top quality press capable of producing a wide variety of printed products.  The purchase price for this press is $2295.00  (Sold)  contact: john.falstrom@att.net

References are available on request. 

As the title suggests, I have just started a project to compile and publish everything you would want to know about the ever popular Golding Pearl letterpress.  Focus will be on the Old Style No. 3 and Improved No. 11.  If you have a question about either of these models, I am confident I will be able to provide the answer.  Each week, more pictures and information will be added. I am currently working on a pictorial of the differences between early (1877) and late (1890) OS No. 3′s.  Email me your question at:  john.falstrom@att.net :  Click here to begin.

A word about my new gauge. As I visit Briar Press I often read how new enthusiasts have difficulty adjusting their presses. The two main issues are proper inking, and even impression. I decided to try to do something about it. One gauge already existed which is for measuring proper roller height. It is nicknamed the lollypop because of its shape. I couldn’t find any gauge to help adjust the evenness of the platen. I like gauges! My new dual gauge addresses both of these issues. On one end is a white lollypop which is used to set roller height for proper inking. It is very easy to use and the ink stripe you create is very easy to see against the white color. In addition however, I have added two black platen height gauges that can be adjusted to fit any size platen press up an 8″x12″ or there abouts. These black pieces are adjusted with the thumbscrew to be in a top and bottom corner of your platen. You can also adjust them to be in diagonal corners. You simply loosen the lock nuts on the platen and turn the screw in until you get one side of the platen evenly adjusted against the two black cylinders. Repeat this on the other side, then recheck the first side. You do this without ink, chase, or packing on the press. The cylinders are sized so that after adjustment, and you add a normal packing to the press you are very close to proper and even impression. It is especially helpful if you want to disassemble your press for cleaning and need to get it back into specs to prevent harming type or plates. It is made of brass and delrin so there is nothing to rust or corrode. Purchase your own here.

A workshop by John Falstrom is being held on July 16, 2011 at the Lyme Art Association in Old Lyme, CT  details on time, material covered, cost, can be seen at their website: http://lymeartassociation.org/workshops.php  Please join us to learn about this fascinating method of printing beautiful artwork.

The following presses are available for sale. These presses are not restored.  Save money and learn about the press by getting your hands a little dirty. These are heavy floor models that require pickup.   They do not require much to start printing. Email for more information: john.falstrom@att.net

Jobber No. 6  (8″ x 12″) motorized $800.00

Improved Pearl No. 11  (7″ x 11″) motorized $1500.00 Sold ……….10/10/11

I am now fabricating complete connecting rods for the Golding Pearl No. 11 Improved 7 x 11 press. This is the rod that connects your treadle to the drive arm on the press.  The rod is made out of steel and sized from an original to fit the press perfectly. The top bolt is a difficult to get item with left hand threads so it does not unscrew while operating the press. It is made out of delrin so no lubrication is needed. The bottom connector pin and cotter pin are made out of steel.

 I also sell the upper left hand shoulder screw and lower pin as a package for those that already have the connecting rod but are missing the correct connection hardware. Prices include shipping to the lower 48 states. All others please contact for additonal shipping charges calculated based on your location.

To order click here.

This was an accessory supplied with the Pearl press.  The purpose was to speed output by eliminating the need to remove the printed card.  After it was printed, it dropped into the first drawer of the base below.  You then just had to place the next blank sheet in the press.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zixtMRWM24

We have just added our list of available parts for Golding presses.  More to be added so check back often!

See them here