Our Presses - Sigwalt Chicago #11

At our sales we often get questions about the type of presses (and where they came from) that we currently use  to create our wonderful letterpressed products. Since it's such a common question we thought we'd share a little detail about the Sigwalt Chicago #11, the Chandler and Price 10x15 and the Kesley 3x5 that we currently own in the next few blog posts.

The first press we ever purchased was a tiny 3x5 Sigwalt Chicago #11 table top press (actual printing area is 2-1/2 x 4 inch). We purchased this from an individual from Atlanta, Georgia. Below are some pictures  of "Siggy" as we first unwrapped it.  As you can see it was in rough shape - needing new rollers, some oiling and some rust removal - but it was operational. What we didn't know at the time was that not all the pieces of the press were original, and at some point replacement parts had been added that did not fit quite properly. When squaring the platen to the bed in preparation for our first impressions, one of the replacement parts snapped the column that holds the platen to the impression lever, rendering "Siggy" nonoperational!! You could imagine our dismay. We didn't even have an opportunity to create an initial impression and see what this little guy could do!! We have been on a search for a replacement part ever since, but because the #11 is a less common table top press, parts are hard to come by. So, currently "Siggy" serves as an ornamental press in our studio, soaking up the rays  near the studio windows, as his bigger brothers, the C and P and Kelsey, do most of the dirty work in the shop.

Even though our little Sigwalt is down for the count, this little guy is a much loved reminder of our humble letterpress beginnings!!