Heidelberg Platen Press

The Excelsior Press 

Museum

Gift Shoppe

~~~

Operating Expenses and

Fundraising Page


(aka "USED STUFF for sale to printers")

"While Supplies Last"

HOME | CONTACT		 Inking up the Chandler & Price


Please note that ALL proceeds of equipment, supplies or printing sold by the Excelsior Press goes to support the continued existance of this museum print shop.  Each month, we have to come up with $600 to pay the rent. For the past 22 years, the cost of the rent has come out of my own earnings. But now the shop must support itself in order to survive. We began by selling off some of the spare presses and tools from our collection, but response has been so positive that we are now seeking out other sources of the things you may need. We and hope to become a reliable resource to assist and encourage letterpress printing for this and future generations...
So, Yes, this is our own unabashedly commercial "shameless commerce" part of the website.

WE HAVE FINALLY REALIZED  that developing and maintaining a collection of old printing presses - and paying the rent, month after month for the past 20 years so far, takes both a lot of time and a fair amount of money. And, since we've got more stuff than we really need, and since the simple fact that you are here viewing this page suggests that you might want or need some of these treasures we've collected over the past 45 years or so, we have some really neat stuff (and maybe some junk) for sale.

We hate to part with any of it, actually, but really, how many midget-sized Hamilton Furniture Racks does one print shop need? We've got some spares. And we need to pay the rent. They're for sale.

And, we've got furniture - loads of it. "A lifetime supply", is how I describe it. But how many chases do I want to lock up at one time? And how often will I leave furniture in galley forms? A few fonts of furniture is all that we need. So we can sell some to you. As much as you need.

We've got type. We love type. We can't walk past a font of type without yearning to add it to our composing room. And surfing eBay drives us crazy! Plus people keep bringing us more stuff for the museum, so we're always adding more fonts to our collection. Often we get duplicates - or even faces we just don't use in our style of work. They're for sale, too.

Then there's 138 MORE fonts which we 'rescued' when Hobson Printing finally cleared out their composing room this past winter. I couldn't buy the type - but I insisted that the owner not dump it into that large barrel full of lead going to the scrap dealer. These fonts had to be saved. I made him let me take them and promised that I would sell it for him for twice what the scrap dealer would have paid. (Still not sure what that price really was. when I find out, I'll post it here.)

AND, now that Barry's brought down his Linotype, Interype, Ludlow & Colt, we have his spare quoins, furniture, etc. to add to the collection, and he's kindly agreed that we should sell it to cover expenses - and our newest expense is the $1200 it cost to move the line casters to The Excelsior Press.

And quoins! Boy, have we got quoins!

enough chatter. Here's the list: but remember - Most of this is used, and is available "Only while supplies last"

Letterpress Tools & Supplies Price List
(prices subject to change and only while supplies last)


Excelsior Press - Printer's Starter Kit

SMALL PRESS ACCESSORIES STARTER KITS - $65-90/kit or ala carte
(this section undergoing revision 10/20/09)
Many folks find or by a press by itself without the "ancillary items" they will need to actually use their new press. To fill this need, we have put together a number of 'starter kits' that will give you everything you need to begin printing. But your needs may vary, so we have broken this down into some catagories, with ala carte an option as well.

For the common Kelsey presses, for example, we have put together a kit which includes:

Basic kit includes:
  • Furniture & Reglet Starter Font for your press ($35-50+9)
  • Tympan set - for your press ($15-25) - enough for your first 25 jobs
  • gauge pins - box of 6 unused/old stock Megill Spring Tongue Gauge Pins ($13) or a box of 3 "used, but usable" Megill "Double-Grip" gauge pins ($28)
OPTIONAL Press ITEMS -
  • Chase lockup bars - eliminate the need for quoins on smaller presses equipped with drilled chases ($9.00/set)
  • Challenge Quoins  - 3 sets & quoin key* + 10 pieces each 6 & 12 point 25 pica reglet ($3.25+9.00+9.00)
  • INK KIT - 4 small (2"x.75") cans of ink - various mixable colors ($13.50) - various inks and formulations- basically what's on hand.
  • Ink knife (also available at your local hardware store as a "putty knife") ($4.95)
  • Ludlow slugs of common phrase - plus the name of your press - ($13)
* Wickersham quoins optional ($4.50 each + $16 for original used key or $9 for new L-shaped key)
* Challenge quoin key may be replaced by a 'shooting stick', depending upon availability
* Kits up to 5x8 ship in Medium USPS Flat-rate box for $9.85
Typesetting basics
  • composing stick
  • composing stick holder
  • leads & slugs
  • border - piece border (type) or line border (rule)
  • spaces
  • type
  • type cases
  • Type Planing Block
  • galley trays - 9-14 each, various sizes available
  • miscellaneous "stock" or unique cuts and ornaments
  • Cusom-cast Ludlow slugs ($4.00/line set, + .50 slug cast = $10 min.)
Training - Personal Tutoring at the Excelsior Presss
  • Basic Platen Press work
  • Basic Proof Press printing
  • Typesetting - hand composition, form makeup, and more.

Furniture/Reglet &  Cabinets

New and used (mixed as shown) Letterpress Wood Furniture from our excess inventory
(most, if not all of our furniture was manufactured by Hamilton)
Please note: - Most of our furniture is freshly & precisely cut from longer lengths of good used (aka recycled) wood furniture made by Hamilton, Thompson and other industrial manufacturers of the past. 
  • Standard Wood Furniture font =
    • 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60 = 8 LENGTHS
    • 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 = 7 WIDTHS
  • Starter Font - 1 of each width and length = 7*8=56 pieces $50
  • Standard Font - 5 of each width and length = 7*8*5= 280 pieces $200
    (fills one cabinet) = 5 starter font sets
  • Kelsey Excelsior Starter fonts
      • 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 picas = 7 WIDTHS
    • Kelsey Excelsior 3x5 -
      • Furniture - 10, 15, 20, 25, 30  picas = 5 lengths - $30
      • matching Reglet set - 5 pieces each length in 6 & 12 pt widths - $8
    • Kelsey Excelsior 5x8
      • Furniture - 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 48 picas = 7 lengths - $40
      • matching reglet set - 5 pieces each length in 6 & 12 pt widths - $9
    • 6x10 & larger presses  - Starter or Standard Font recommended
  • Furniture by the piece:
    • 10-30 pica
      • 2,3,4,5 pica width - $1.00/piece
      • 6,8,10 pica width - $1.50/piece
    • 40,50,60 pica $3.00/piece
      • 2,3,4,5 pica width - $1.50/piece
      • 6,8,10 pica width - $3.00/piece
    • Custom Lengths over 60 picas quoted by request.
  • Reglet - (mostly used) - starter fonts
    • SHORT FONT 15-20-30 picas .25/piece,  $ 9.00/font of 45 pieces 
      • 10 pieces each length, 6 pt
      • 5 pieces each length, 12 pt
    • LONG FONT 40-50-60 picas .50/piece, $18.00/font of 45 pieces
      • 10 pieces each length, 6 pt
      • 5 pieces each length, 12 pt
    • LONG STRIPS
      • 06 pt. x 20" $1.00
      • 12 pt. x 20" $1.50
    • Custom Lengths over 60 picas quoted by request.
  • Some Metal furniture is available. (to be inventoried) *
  • We can precisely cut wood furniture to any size you want on our Hammond Glider Trim-Saw - just ask. *
  • Hamilton, Thompson & Damon & Peets Furniture Cabinets available - $75-150 *
  • * Contact us for details at 908 996-0849 or CONTACT via online form.
 Starter Font of wood furniture for letterpress

Basic Universal Starter Font
(as shown above)
1 piece of each
Standard Font width and length
7 x 8 = 56 pieces

$50

Quoins & Keys

DESCRIPTION
 		DETAILS PRICE AVAILABLE
Challenge High-speed quoins 3,6 or 10"
$9.95 3 0
Wickersham quoins - patent date 1891
 $4.50 14
Challenge-Hempel (two-piece) quoins (as shown in photo)
 2 piece set
 $3.25 18
4
Quoin Keys
Challenge high-speed Quoin Key
$29.00
 1 0
Wickersham quoin key - original

$14.00
 1 0
Wickersham quoin key -  "L" bar
$14.00
 1
Challenge-Hempel Quoin Key (as shown)
$9.00
 6
2
Shooting Stick for Wedge Quoins
 new
 $12.00
 soon
Steel Chase Bars for drilled chases
 new/set
 $9.00
 yes
Hempel Quoins

Note: Smaller presses with drilled chases do not need quoins. If your press is drilled for set screws, we recommend using the screws wth chase bars to lock up your forms.




Lead & Slug Cutters
DESCRIPTION DETAILS PRICE AVAIL  WT ship
H.B. Rouse "Clipper"
hand held
 32.00
 2 1
 2#
 $5
H.B. Rouse "American"
 industrial grade
 48.00
 4
 12#
 $24
Kelsey Co. economy
 economy, but it works
 32.00
 2 1
 4#
 $10
Leads & Slugs (used)
2 pt Leads & 6, 12, 18 pt. slugs
used, cut to size
 $4.00/lb
 lots
 $12.00*
$2.00 minum  cutting charge - up to 10 pounds, 10 lengths
USPS Flat Rate box - up to 70# of cut leads and slugs mailed within US for less than $12.
note: 10# of leads & slugs will fill a 20x70 pica area
New, freshly cast 6 & 12 point x 21 pica Ludlow Slugs also available (price subject to market fluctuation)

Lead & slug cutters
View larger photos on
our "Slug Cutters" Page



Tympan Paper Starter Set - 100 sheets mixed packing - enough for 25 printing projects
A full set of 25 oiled top (aka "hanger") sheets, 25 oiled undersheets, 10 hard pressboard, 20 sheets coated book paper, 20 sheets onionskin
DESCRIPTION
 DETAILS
 PRICE
 AVAILABLE
Apr '09
Kelsey Excelsior Press 3x5 $15 yes
Kelsey Excelsior Press 5x8 $20
 yes
Kelsey Excelsior Press 6x10 $25
 yes
C&P Pilot 6x10 $25 yes
C&P Platen
 8x12
 $45
 b/o
C&P Platen 10x15,
 $50
 b/o
C&P Platen 12x18 $65
 b/o
Vandercook Model 4 Proof Press 12x18
 $35
 n/a
Challenge Proofing Press 12x18 $35
 n/a
Other presses, send size
 custom cut
b/o

Gauge Pins - used & old, unused *
* The original Megill gauge pins were bought years ago, but never used. There could be some slight tarish on them, which can be readily removed with a Scotch Brite pad. They work fine and were never used.

DESCRIPTION
 DETAILS
 PRICE
 AVAILABLE CONDITION
Megill Spring Tongue Gauge pin
 box of 6 plus extra tongues
$13 yes
 old, unused*
Spring Tongue Gauge pin box of 12 plus extra tongues $19 backordered
 new
Larsen Quad Guides set of 3
n/a
Extension Gauge Pins
 set of 2
being inventoried
Double Grip Gauges
 set of 3 - screw in, with wrench
 $28
 4 sets
 used, usable


 
Composing Sticks
DESCRIPTION DETAILS PRICE AVAIL ship wt.
Rouse 22 pica stick slot hole, knee-action $22.00
 3
Rouse 35 pica stick
slot hole, knee-action
$35.00 1
Rouse 35 pica stick BRAND NEW IN BOX
 $75.00
 1
35 Pica stick
 thumb screw lock action
 $30.00
 3
Rouse 45 pica stick slot hole, knee-action $45.00 0
 < 2 #
Rouse 60 pica stick slot hole, knee-action $52.00
 0
Kelsey Aluminum
 thumb-screw clamp
 $18.50
 2
Other Sticks
 various styles
 $18-45
 -
 < 2 #

California Job Case
Rouse Composing Sticks
Composing Stick Holder - $16

Don't lay your stick on the level - keep it at a safe angle - without damaging anything beneath it - or letting loose type fall over.

- brand new, shellaced hard wood - made to last a lifetime by cabinetmaker & printer Rich Polinksi of Front Room Press
click on the photo to see a high-res, detailed photograph -->>
composing stick holder
Composing Sticks inventory
Current Inventory of Composing Sticks
June 05, 2009
  • Kelsey Aluminum sticks to left
  • thumb-screw sticks in center
  • Rouse Knee-Action sticks
    - 22 and 35 pica - to right
  • Brand new Rouse 35 pica stick in box - still coated with cosmolene
  • 100-pica stick not for sale
35 Pica sticks are 8" long.

note: inventory has changed, Please contact us for current availabilty

Type Cases (used; some like new, some very old) (typical shipping - 1-3 $15 ea. 3+ $10 each - USPS)
DESCRIPTION DETAILS PRICE AVAIL shp wt
Full Sized California Job Case
flat front wood (no handles)
 $12.50 20+

Full Sized California Job Case
flat front steel (like new) $14.50 20+
 8#
Full Sized California Job Case raised lip front $14.00 18+

Full Sized Specialty cases
 2,3 caps,  others
$18.00 5-10

3/4 sized California Job Case flat front  $15.00 30+

3/4 sized California Job Case raised lip front, older
 $18.00 20+

2/3 sized California Job Case raised lip front, like new
 $24.00
 10+
Small rule case  new, like new & used
 $20.00 4

California Job Case
Flat front steel (like new)

Type Case Cabinets (wood, steel, used; some like new)
note: cases extra

DESCRIPTION DETAILS WIDTH PRICE AVAIL SHP WT
Holds 48 Full Sized Cases
flat top wood 72" wide $250 1
Holds 48 Full Sized Cases sloping work top
steel (like new)		 72" wide $500 1
Holds 24 Full Sized Cases flat top steel
(like new)
 36" wide
 $250 2
Holds 24 Full Sized Cases flat top wood
RESTORED
 36" wide
 $485
 0
Holds 24 Full Sized Cases FLAT TOP WOOD
made in 1926
 36" wide
 $250
 1
Holds 48 3/4 Sized Cases flat lip cases
 54" wide
 $450
 1
Holds 40 3/4 Sized Cases raised lip cases 54" wide $450 1
Holds 20 2/3 Sized Cases case holder and
cabinet on top		 26" wide $250 1
Holds 10 2/3 Sized Cases flat top refinished like new 26" wide $265 1
Open Frame 14-case
"city Stand"		 to be used with lip-front cases 36" $325 3
Misc others
 to be listed




Cabinet.steel.double.Hamilton

48-case Steel Hamilton Cabinet
with sloping work top.
In nearly-new condition.



Type 
Used Type
  • New fonts, old fonts, all sizes and styles and foundrys.
  • some in cases
  • some in original foundry packages
  • ATF, Stephenson Blake, Monotype, some wood type.
  • We'll post the list as soon as we can.
 Type in Case
New Type & Spaces - from Quaker City Type Foundry - call Bill Reiss (610) 942-3637
 


Training - Consulting/Tutoring, Printing and Print Making Classes at the Excelsior Press
Most offerings assume a 4+ hour "afternoon in the shop" combining any of the subjects or projects listed below with experienced, traditional letterpress printers Alan, Rich or Barry for $150.
DESCRIPTION
 DETAILS
 PRICE
 AVAILABLE
Excelsior Press 101
 4 hours - Introduction to setting up and printing on the Kelsey Excelsior Press - your press or ours. Locking up the form. Setting make ready and gauge pins.
Building a frisket. Ink up and print!
 $150
 yes
Hand Typesetting 101
 4 hours - Set some type, print a poem or a card - what ever you want!
 $150
 yes
Typesetting
 4+ hours of Hand Composition, Ludlow Slug Casting, Linotype/Intertype basic operation & form makeup
 $150
 yes
One day
Intro to Letterpress
 4+ hours hands-on printing on a variety of presses
 $150 spring/summer
Vandercook Flatbed cylinder
Press work
 4+ hours printing on the Vandercook Model 4
and 1914 Vandercook Proof Press
and Vandercook Model 99 galley proofer		 $150 spring/summer
C&P Platen Presswork
 		4+ hours maintenance, adjustments and hands-on printing on the 10x15 C&P
 $150
 		yes
Heidelberg Windmill Presswork
 4+ hours maintenance, adjustments and hands-on printing on the 10x15 Heidelberg Windmill Platen Press
 $150 yes
Colt's Armory Press work
 4+ hours hands-on printing on the 10x15 Colt's Armory Press
 $150
 yes
Bench Top Printing
 4+ hours hands-on printing on
a Kelsey Table Top platen press
 $150
 		yes
Typesetting and printing
4+ hours of hand and/or machine composition and printing on any equipment listed abovel
 $150
 yes

The Practice of Printing
by R.W.Polk
 		High School/Trade School Text book
THE classic printer's manual
 		$45
0 3
Kelsey's Printer's Guide
 An excellent, clean 8 1/2 x 11 reproduction (by Thomas Roberson - the
Scan Wizard) of Kelsey's famous printing course - more readable than the original!
 $16
 yes
Kelsey's Printer's Guide Original print (by Kelsey) of the small sized printer's Guide
 $12
 yes
Consulting, Training, Tutoring
 customized to your needs - at my shop or yours
 $85/hour
 yes
Photo polymer Platemaking
and printing
 One-day Seminar
- make, print from  (and take home) your own photopolymer plates
- from our stock art negatives or from your original art
- traditional wooden engraving mounting bases, NAGraphics magnetic bases
or the premier and perfectly machined Boxcar Press bases available.
 $250
 n/a


Presses - Kelsey Excelsior, Heidelberg Windmill, Chandler & Price, Vandercook Presses for Sale
* KIT - C&P - includes 6 wedge quoins, (with key or shooting stick)  reglet, gauge pins, starter font of wood furniture, tympan packing.
* KIT - Heidelberg - high speed quoins with wrench, reglet, furniture, packing as above.
* KIT - Kelsey Presses - one set of tympan sheets, 3x5, 5x8 or 6x10 furniture starter kit, reglet, steel chase bars, gauge pins
* "SOON" means that the press is in the shop and is scheduled for restoration
Excelsior Press USED presses, restored to good operating condition.
note: These are NOT The fully repainted Restorations shown on our restorations page
We test print with any press before it is sold.
DESCRIPTION DETAILS PRICE
(press only)
 ROLLERS
& TRUCKS
 KIT*
 AVAILABLE* Packing & Crating
Kelsey Excelsior size 3x5 $--- extra $90 sold $30
Kelsey Hand Press
size 5x8 $--- extra $90 2 $45
Kelsey Hand Press size 6x10 $--- extra $90 sold $45
C&P Pilot Press 6x10, side-lever $---- extra $90 sold $65
Chandler & Price 8x12 New Series $1050-$1350
 extra $90 2 $125
Chandler & Price 10x15 New Series $1250 extra $90 sold $150
Heidelberg Windmill 10x15
$4500 incl. $90 1 $125
Vandercook Model 4 - in restoration $5000 extra $125 SUMMER
2010
 $125
Challenge
Proof Press
 12x18  - in restoration
 $4500 extra 125 fall
2010		 $125
Mini Vandercook "Showcard"
Proof Press
 Prints sheet to
8 x 11"		 $425 none
sold n/a
moving/shipping available.
Other presses are currently scheuduled for restoration.Check back or inquire please.
Chandler & Price Platen Press
 Table Top Presses - Fully Restored - by Lou

See a photo gallery of Lou's Restorations - including the new 5x8 Excelsior Victor Restoration/Conversion -------------- >>>>>>>>>>>
Fully Reconditioned Kelsey5x8 Press
SEE BELOW FOR OTHER PRESSES FOR SALE BY PRIVATE OWNERS AROUND THE COUNTRY

Numbering Machines
DESCRIPTION DETAILS PRICE AVAILABLE
 Roman, forward

$25 2

    Numbering Machine Photo to come


Miscellaneous Other Items
DESCRIPTION DETAILS PRICE AVAILABLE
 Ink Rollers 12x18 C&P or Kluge $75 4
Books
 Polk:Practice Of Printing (1926)
 $45
 1

  Photos to come 


Shipping
USPS FLAT RATE BOXES - 2-3 day delivery to 48 states
Small FRB 5-3/8" x  8-5/8"  x 1-5/8" $ 4.80
Medium FRB 11" x 8 1/2"  x 5 1/2" $ 9.85
Large FRB
11-7/8" x 13-5/8" x 3-3/8" $13.50
Type Cases - shipped USPS, custom packed
2/3 size - 17x22"
  1- $12.00 3+ /$8.00 each
 5 lbs
Full sized 18x33"
  1- $15.00 3+ /$9.50 each 9 lbs
Slug Cutter

Other based upon weight and dimensions & cost of packing materials
And there's more!
  • Watch soon for NEW letterpress print shop furniture from Ed Thompson, the last of three generations of Thompsons who have been making fine wood & metal workbenches, cabinets and other tools and furniture for print shops as Thompson Cabinet Company - catalog pages (partial)
  • 10/25/07: We are hoping to soon be able to offer Kelsey Press INK TABLES for sale.
  • 10/26/07: we are also preparing some "just like Kelsey" Excelsior Press "Complete Printing Outfits" which will include type, composing stick, leads & slugs, furniture & reglet, type cases, quoins & keys, tympan packs, gauge pins and the Kelsey Printer's Guide. Watch here for an announcement or add your name to our "I'm interested" waiting list.
  • See how our equipment is prepared for shipping - The Pilot Press Crating and Packing

Also - equipment for sale by other people. See if they have what you need
last updated 9/20/2009
HOME | CONTACT