A word about my Falstrom 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. 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 to 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 or painting and need to get it back into specs, or you suspect your press is out of adjustment and exhibiting uneven impression. It is made of brass and delrin so there is nothing to rust or corrode.

I announced my retirement awhile back, but, miss making these. So, I decided to start making my gauge again!  Yup, back in business.  Click here to go to purchase page.

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This is a fully restored ink fountain for the Golding Improved Pearl No. 11.  It is a very rare accesory to find today.  This is a beautiful fountain in terrific condition and everything including the attachment shoulder screw is included.  Just install it on your Pearl No. 11 and it is ready to work.  Makes the Pearl look like it was intended to look.  The price is xxx which includes shipping to the continental US.  For more pictures and ordering information click here:  Sold, thank you!

Pearl Ink Fountain

This is my latest restoration.  It will be properly adjusted and ready to print.   It will get new trucks, cores and rollers when a deposit is taken.  It will have the cubby door reproduced by a finish carpenter and be installed at the same time.  Pearls are great presses suitable for the beginner or experienced alike.  It’s easy running and a pleasure to treadle.  They have a chase size of 7 x 11, three rollers for better inking, and the indispensable throw off lever.  It comes with my custom roller/platen gauge for easier adjustment of inking and impression.  It includes an introduction to letterpress lesson at my shop.  I will personally load it into your vehicle.  As with all my press sales, there is no shipping.  You must come to pick it up at my shop in rural Lyme, CT.   You will print on your press and be satisfied that the press works properly and all you questions have been carefully answered before the loading process begins.  That’s the way I like to do business.  Pearls are getting harder to find.  Don’t miss this opportunity.  Sold and will live in Atlanta, thanks!

You can reserve this press for your own by providing the deposit listed here and pay using Paypal or contacting me and sending a check.  Balance is due on pickup.  Press must be picked up in a timely manner.  john.falstrom@att.net

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This is my latest project.  A Hacker/Potter proof press No. 3.  I would date it at about 1913-15 or so.  It’s serial No. 1374 which suggests it is in that range.  The first Potters were patented in 1910 and an ad boasted the company had sold over 1000 units by 1912.  If it had its original nameplate it would have helped date it, but, sadly it was missing.  Early nameplates list Wanner as the maker.  I am fortunate to have a partner doing the exact same press in Tim Dunn.  Together, we hope to bring both of these presses back to their former glory.  We purchased them from John Barrett, a great source for all things letterpress related.  The press was about as dirty as I have ever tackled.  Inkcicles were up to 12″ long before they were broken while moving the press.

For more pictures and discussion of the project click here:

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Often times a Pearl press is not complete.  The most common missing items for the Old Style Pearl No. 1 or 3 are the drawers, and the cubby door for the Improved Pearl No. 11.   A carpenter can  reproduce the wood drawers or cubby without much difficulty, but getting the proper hardware is near impossible.  Not anymore.  This reproduction hardware is resin cast from original Golding hardware.  It is the correct pull for the Old Style Pearl No. 1 or No. 3 drawers, and the New Improved Pearl No. 11 cubby door.  It is exact in ever detail front and back as seen in the photo.  It was cast from an original pull using high strength urethane in a silicon mold.  Once painted and installed, you cannot tell the difference from the real thing.  To order indicate quantity in the  menu box.  Price includes shipping to the US.  Do not try to add it during checkout process.  For International orders please contact me to determine shipping costs.  john.falstrom@att.net  Pull should be washed with ordinary detergent to remove any remaining silicon oils from mold releasing agent, then painted black if replicating the original piece and installed using a #6-3/4″ long flat head wood screw.  Click here to be taken to the ordering page.

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I have just completed restoration on another Cook’s Victor. I normally stay with Golding, but, this make and model is something special.  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.  The spring system for rollers to apply pressure to the form is excellent and the rails are thicker than any press I have ever seen.  Thicker rails means the press will wear less than one with tiny rails.  In their day Victors became such competition to Kelsey, that he purchased Cook’s company and soon discontinued making the press in favor of his own less expensive models. 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 purchased as yet.  I have made the new cores and trucks seen in one of the pictures. Get started right, with a beautiful 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 tabletop press come take a look. This is a high end press capable of producing a wide variety of printed products.  contact: john.falstrom@att.net  Sold and living in St Louis. 4/16/2012

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 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.  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.  Sold and now living in Ohio, Thanks.

John

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OK.  I advertised this same  press some time ago for $1000.00 as a project press.  It didn’t get much attention and didn’t sell.  So, I am trying again with a new lower price of $800.00 and a little more encouragement.  Folks this is a nice press.  Its not much of a project.   It is going to need new rollers but it has the old cores and trucks, hooking up of the variable speed motor which is a beauty, make a feed board(we have the support brackets), and some cleaning.  I have  cycled the press and it is smoooooooth!!  There is no rust on this press.   It had a lot of gunk which protected it.  This is about the size of a Pearl, but, with much more impression strength like a C & P.  A really sweet size press capable of doing the finest of work.  Many successful letterpress shops use this size press.  Here is your chance to get a really nice one for less than the going rate.  It just needs a little bit of effort to put it in fine printing shape. On pallet, with loading dock available.  Located in Chicopee, MA.  Email for details:  john.falstrom@att.net 

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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!

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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. (Sold)  contact: john.falstrom@att.net

References are available on request. 

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