Sunday we drove out to meet an elderly gentleman that I found on Craigslist. He had a 12x18 Kluge letterpress that he was willing to part with for a mere $100. Needless to say, this is all that I've been thinking and talking about all week. To all of my friends and family who can't get a nonletterpress related word in edgewise during our visits: I'm sorry (but not really!).
The company started production on this model in 1931. Prior to this location it lived in the local local high school - back when printing was still taught in schools. The press is automatic and has a paper feed with the ability to do 4,000 impressions per hour. WHOA DANG. We turned it on during our visit and it ran perfectly.
This man's uncle used to have a print shop and passed all of his equipment onto him. He has an ENTIRE print shop in his basement (2 platen letterpresses, 2 offset litho presses, a guillotine paper cutter, paper folder and drawers upon drawers of type, furniture and rollers). He was totally calm and collected; I was trying not to pee my pants from excitement.
It will take several trips, a trailer and giving my dad and boyfriend LOTS of back rubs to bring her home, and then there's the fun of putting her all back together...but I'm excited for the challenge and adventure. I've decided to name her Olive, after the printer's sweet little wife.
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