Discovery at a Thrift Shop

I stumbled upon the 1895 Golding Tabletop Letterpress in a local thrift shop. Despite an excess of dust and worn mechanics, the potential for restoration was immediately clear. Alongside the press, five drawers of type offered a variety of fonts, eager to be revived and used again.

The Restoration Process

Restoring the press involved a detailed, hands-on approach. Each component was carefully cleaned and lubricated to bring back its original functionality. The restoration focused on maintaining the press’s authenticity while ensuring it could operate effectively for modern use.

Building the Work Cabinet

I designed and built a custom work cabinet using a CNC machine to accommodate the restored press in a contemporary workspace. This cabinet supports the press structurally and integrates storage for the type and tools, creating a cohesive and functional work area.

A New Life in Print

With the press and workspace ready, I embarked on a series of printing projects. One of the first pieces I created was a series of bookmarks featuring the final line from Hemingway’s “The Sun Also Rises”: “Isn’t it pretty to think so?” This project perfectly blended historical craftsmanship and literary homage, breathing new life into the press and the words it prints.

This restoration preserved a piece of printing history and integrated it into a modern design environment, demonstrating the timeless relevance and beauty of traditional printmaking.