Printing press needs owner
I am a huge fan of letterpress. It makes me a sucker for collecting any letterpress stationary or greeting cards that cross my path, and I intermittently scan the classified ads at Briar Press, hoping that a one-armed bandit will become available in my vicinity (it’s all I could even dream of fitting into our house…even a small letterpress can weigh literally half a ton). So far no luck.
In my otherwise fruitless browsing, I came across an ad for a press in Brooklyn that’s for sale:
* For sale or trade in Brooklyn NY
* Posted on 14 Dec 08 (17:08)The Hennington Press in Brooklyn is for sale. It includes everything needed to run a substantial business. See video below. Please inquire.
The link to the video, which I’ve added below, turned out to be a very moving radio story done on the closing of Hennington Press done by WNYC (New York Public Radio). It’s a sad situation – there must be someone out there who can take over this press?
It’s just a matter of finding the right person, right? Someone who can move to Brooklyn, learn how to operate vintage printing press machinery, and has enough business savvy to make a go of a printing business in this day and age. I guess it’s a lot to ask but this printing press needs an owner, fast!
There are lots of small presses around that are doing great work that seem to be successful. If you’ve never considered letterpress cards you should – most of them do custom work and they can turn your annual family cards into little works of art. I’ve linked to some great small presses below.
clockwise from image at the top of the page: (top left) Penguin card by B Design, letterpress medallion by Jonathan Wright Company, fawn card by Hello, Lucky, (top right) reindeer card by Jonathan Wright Company, (middle) historical photo of Hennington Press, (bottom left) Merry New Year card by Paper + Cup , last photo is of a letterpress printer from Briar Press.
Category: Paper | Tags: art, cards, christmas, fawn, greeting, hennington, holiday, jonathan, letterpress, medallion, merry, new, Paper, press, printing, small, wright, year 3 comments »
March 25th, 2009 at 11:39 am
hello:
i picked up the press (kluge) from brooklyn. to take it out of there i had to take it apart to small pieces and bring it down to my basement. the press is back to life and works perfect. i love my press. just wanted to let you know.
March 25th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
wow that’s so great – good for you! I saw your site and the range of printing options you have is awesome…the press has found a good home.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:49 am
what is that tiny press at the bottom of the photo collage? it looks amazingly convenient!