Cleaning Up

I cleaned up with some Simple Green and took some crud off with #00 steel wool.  Some of the stains in the bed are still visible, but the Vanderblog moderator (thanks Paul) advised me not to sand the bed because it would cause low spots.

He also had some advice about getting to type high, since this is a galley-high press.  I don't know at this point if I'll just use packing or try and get a steel sheet to use.  Here's a couple of photos of a cleaner press.

Here's a $2 find from the antique mall today - couldn't resist this vintage postcard in a Coca-Cola holder.

Written inside the "N" is "From Louise."

And here is the first thing I ever printed at a Pyramid Atlantic workshop on a big Vandercook.  It's a quote (from memory so it's probably wrong) from "Franny."

New Press

Here's my new press - a Vandercook 01 proof press, finally out of the crate.  It needs a good cleaning but the cylinder seems to roll fine, although it could us a little oiling.  It's sitting on the floor right now, but I've bought a worktable at the Border's going out of business sale and hopefully I'll have that next week.  I also picked up a display unit ($10!) that I thought would work for setting up type, since it will support a composing stick at an angle.

Now I'll I need is ink, a brayer, composing stick, slugs, quoins, keys, . . .