Baltimorean: it's a press, not a place

So a couple of years ago I purchased this little press, sight unseen. I trust the friend who had it. But things are busy, and I didn't get around to ordering up new rollers, which it needed. They usually do. A few weeks ago I ordered my rollers, trucks, and cores (the bar the roller is cast on) from Tarheel Roller. They came this week, and I made the decision to print the very last job this press ever printed.

The press is a Baltimorean No. 2, which it proclaims in the platen casting. Proabably made before 1890, it was once highly decorated, with gold pinstriping. The cast scrollwork front and back was gilt, too. What matters is how well it prints, and that is nicely indeed. Some photos will do right here. As always, click to biggify any of them:

Baltimorean inked for printing

 

Baltimorean's last printing job before moving to California

Baltimorean's first job for Three Toad and APA- you can see the

type on the left; the rollers; and the printed card on the platen.

I'm sure you can imagine how pleased I am with this new toy. It is bigger than the little "Chicago" No. 9 I have, and much better made. I suspect that this press will be with me a long, long time. It is the perfect retirement-size press: big enough to print many sorts of things but small enough to move easily to a bookshelf location. I'd have to limit my type selection, but this would be an admirable solution.

I am not planning on downsizing any time soon, though. I just got the Vandercook and haven't had the 10x15 C&P very long. Those are big presses, so I don't plan on moving with them on hand!

Happy November First. Amazing how the year has whizzed by. In case I don't get to it later, I'll wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, too. I am very grateful for a wonderful milestone year.

No photo just yet, but progress is happening

I found a table! The old one, with its load of junk, was followed by the stopgap card table during the kitchen remodel. And now, finally, a nice *round* table to take their place. It looks so good that I'm not even tempted to pile it with junk. Every time I walk by and see it, with its embroidered centerpiece and art glass vase, I catch my breath in wonder. A real dining room table.

The best part? It's a thrift store find. I saved at least $500 over antique prices. Heh.

This weekend it's up north again, to attend a baby shower for my daughter-in-law. Twins! I'm very pleased. I was waiting anxiously for grandchildren, but managed (somehow) not to ask the nagging question, "When?" Maybe there's a gold star waiting in Heaven for me for managing to restrain myself there (grin!).

When I return home, all those delayed projects are going to jump on me at once. I have pickets to nail to the driveway gate; shades and bench covers for the kitchen; and drapes for the living room. Then there's the settee and chair to recover. And Adult Ed will have begun. Whee!!!

Photos to post after this coming long weekend. Stay tuned.

How is this letterpress related? I suspect because of the conspicuous absence of letterpress printing being mentioned here! I have a half-finished project to complete in Sunnyvale, so that's for this weekend. It's my first tightly-registered two-color job, and if I do say it, I'm quite happy with the effect. It requires three runs, because I have only two of the two-color bits to use, so to print them two-color, and then again in black, requires 3 runs: one for each color, and one to show them side-by-side in black only. I'll have to cut some more paper for this coming run, then finish the entire job. It will be nice to finally have something interesting to show.

But in Goleta? Not much letterpress. The garage floor work will begin soon, and when that's finally complete the big press can move from San Jose to Goleta. And THEN watch out!