In 2014, I bought a Showcard Sign Price and retired my Morgan Line-o-Scribe. This year I have upgraded again - to a Chandler & Price 7x11 Letterpress Machine. I first saw the machine go up for sale on Briar Press (I saved a screenshot of the post before it got pulled down). It had been awhile since I saw one of this size go up in Virginia, and at the price it was calling my name.

Chandler and Price 7x11 | offthebeatenpress.com

So a few weeks ago I asked the sellers to come see it. As soon as I had it in my gaze, I knew I would take the plunge. Money will be a little tight for awhile, but this press will certainly allow me to print faster and expand my business. It took an entire day to move it down from Springfield to Richmond. It was such a long day and I couldn't imagine doing it without my friends to help me, specifically however, my boyfriend. He pushed me to do this and I am so thankful he believes in me and this small business.Here we go! The press is from 1905. I checked the serial number against records. It is also and old style press. You can tell because the flywheel has S shaped spokes instead of straight ones. The press really is in great condition.The real issue arose with where to put it. Obviously a machine of this size and weight would not fit in the studio space. I was left with either my shed or my kitchen. I did some careful measuring and decided that I would use it more often if it was in my kitchen. After 2 hours of carefully getting it up my back deck and in through the glass door, it was settled in the corner. I put the flywheel and ink desk back on and we were ready to roll!Here it is, all awkwardly in the corner of my kitchen. I thought it would be a lot more intrusive than it is, but it rather fits in nicely. It doesn't get in the way at all and if nothing else i is a great conversation piece.And finally, a detailed shot! Isn't it just beautiful?! I cannot wait to get some quoins in the mail to print on this bad boy! It is going to be epic to run a job on him.

Chandler and Price 7x11