This is a 1913 Golding Official No. 12 Map press.  It has a chase size of 8″x12″ for doing almost any size work you desire.  It has a long side handle for great impression strength.  It has been thoroughly cleaned and adjusted to be in printing condition.  It comes with one chase, a set of composition rollers, two sets of trucks, and my newly created letterpress adjustment gauge.  For those unfamiliar, Golding is considered one of the best to own.  They are solidly built and capable of the finest work.  This model is unique in that it works differently than most.  Instead of the platen moving up to the bed, the bed moves down to the platen.  This design was used for printing on large sheets of paper such as “maps” hence the name map press.  Today, it is particularly well suited to the polymer plate user as it can lock up and print large forms and the platen is horizontal right in front of you making it easier to set gauge pins, feed paper, and generally observe what is happening as you print.  I have fabricated new trucks for this press to better match the rollers which are 1.5″ in diameter.  I am including the metal trucks that came with the press as well.  This press is large, weighing in at about 175lbs.  It is however, one of the lightest you can purchase to achieve an 8″ x12″ chase size.  It is on the original board which has a wonderful patina and is often long since gone.  It does not have its grippers, but, on a map press, they are not needed(gauge pins are enough to hold paper).  The price is $1395.00 which also includes an Introduction to Letterpress lesson by yours truly if you are able to take advantage of the offer.  The press is located in my shop in Lyme, CT.  There is easy access from Route 95.     Phone:  860-434-3194  Email:  john.falstrom@att.net  This press has been sold, thank you.

NEW Roller and Platen adjusting gauge!

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.

Are you looking to get into letterpress and are having trouble finding a good press?  Are you somewhat intimidated by all the equipment and the time necessary to acquire everything you need.  Would it help to get some instruction from a knowledgeable pressman.  If this is you, read on.   Table top presses vary greatly in quality.  It is universally held that Golding is one of the top quality and highly desirable presses to own and operate.  A quality press is critical to the success of a beginner, but, they are also somewhat difficult to come by.   Lower quality presses are common on Ebay.  Quality presses that do become available are often not in good condition, or missing critical parts.    Here for sale is a complete beginners package  with a top quality press that will allow you to start printing the day you take ownership.  The price is $1495.00.    Sold! Watch for other presses here.  I am constantly looking for presses to purchase, restore and sell.

What it includes:

The press is a Golding Official No. 2 with a 4″x6″ chase, two good sets of rollers, and the wrenches to adjust everything on the press.  This size Golding can print the same size work as a larger lower quality press because of superior design.  It cycles smooth as silk!!  The roller hooks have been replaced by custom made brass hooks with adjustable spring pressure.  This helps when printing a very small line of print vs a larger heavy solid plate by being able to change the amount of pressure the rollers put on the form.  It is properly adjusted and prints beautifully.  It will print business cards, note cards, stationery, and the like.  It can print with deep impression and is easily transportable.

The type cabinet is a Thompson.  It and the type cases are in very good condition.  It’s a little dusty but not bad at all compared to some I have seen.   There are 12 trays of type with most having two fonts of different sizes giving you more than 20 fonts.  The point sizes range from 6pts to 24pts.  The font styles included are:  Bodoni Book, Stymie, Kabel, and the highly desirable Caslon Old Style in Roman and Italic( a nice selection of sizes).  The drawers contain enough type to be capable of printing large pages if desired.  In addition there is a case of leads and slugs used for spacing between sentences etc.  A nice presentable unit.

Also included:  Golding slug cutter, A mixture of colored inks, a composing stick, 3 Wickersham quoins and key for lock up, metal furniture for lock up, a box full of old plates just for fun, a wooden drawer unit for storing items, tympan and red board to pack your press, 3 gauge pins, old cigar boxes with various spacers, type and whatever.  And, last but not least letterpress lessons on your new press. 

Due to the weight and bulk of these items, it is offered as customer pick up only.  We are easy to find 10 minutes off route 95 in the rural town of Lyme, CT. 

The price is $1495 firm.  860-434-3194 or contact us  by email, additional pictures available.

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Here are a few shots of the catalog and some typical pages:

Perennial Designs is now producing a set of 8 different note cards with envelopes featuring paintings done by Haitian artists to help support the Crosby Fund for Haitian Education. 

The Crosby Fund for Haitian Education (C.F.H.E.) was founded in July, 2004, by Rebecca and Frederick Crosby.  The creation of C.F.H.E. was inspired by their knowledge of the lack of educational opportunities for young adults in Haiti, and their conviction that a brighter future for Haiti is dependent on educating the youth. The goal of C.F.H.E. is to provide assistance for secondary and post secondary education to academically superior Haitians in the Artibonite Valley, who could not otherwise attend school, in the hopes of preparing them for professional careers in Haiti.

The Crosby Fund 

For every $16.50 box of cards purchased $8.00 goes to this worthwhile fund.

View and purchase the colorful assortment by clicking here.

Perennial Designs offers parts for Golding Presses.  We have a limited number of original parts for the Golding Pearl, the Golding Jobber No. 6, and the Golding Official No. 9.  Please see our “Letterpress parts for sale” page under Letterpress Studio here.

          “Winter Morning”           by Angie Falstrom 

 Media:  Miniature watercolor on paper.  Image size: 2-7/8″ x 5-5/8″ Overall size with frame: 9-1/2″ x 11-5/8″ Mat: Double Glass: UV Frame Detail: Click here Price:  $1500.00