Rescue

March 25, 2019 by admin

Before leaving New York, I got notice through various channels (a guy knew a guy who knew a guy who…) that there was some printing equipment in a basement. The house was going to be sold, and the equipment needed to be removed. Thus far, all those who had expressed interest had failed to follow through. I arrived with a truck and a flashlight.

This basement was beneath a small rancher. The current occupant inherited the house from her father when he passed away. This equipment was his. As she told me, he was an English professor who would set type with his students, and gradually became more and more interested in print materiality. Sounds familiar…

A beautiful double cabinet. Previous jobs still in the stick. Note the former compositor’s rocking chair. Life goals.

Aside from the low light (and low ceiling), this was a remarkable space. Table-top presses remained with the current owner, for sentimental reasons. We agreed on a single cabinet of type, and a box of hand-tools. The current owner wanted to make sure her father’s collection was both used and respected, and she was excited and grateful to know what I retrieved would be used by students.

Interesting cuts + mouse nests. Pretty typical.

This was the morning of the first leg of the drive to NC. Quite literally removing and loading up for the drive south. At this moment, a team of riggers with a far bigger, stronger truck has the rest of my type and my Vandercook #3. I’ll meet them shortly to pick up the Vandercook #4. Lots of moving parts on this day…!