The Iron Journey: Bringing Home Our Chandler & Price Press
There's something magical about vintage printing equipment—the weight of history, the craftsmanship of another era, the promise of creating something beautiful with your own hands. This weekend, we embarked on a journey to bring home our newest family member: a 900-pound Chandler & Price platen press with a rich history and an exciting future ahead.
The Adventure Begins
We left Saturday to start the trek, stopping in Diamondhead, MS for lunch at The Camphouse. Once we arrived in Tallahassee, we were able to meet Mr. Mika at his print shop to scope out the plan of action. After a quick dinner at the hotel, we went to bed early for an early start the next morning.
Coffee-fueled, we arrived at the print shop Sunday morning to start loading. After removing a wall of windows, we were able to maneuver the press out of the shop then had to winch her up an inclined and cracked concrete driveway. The feat took almost 2 hours, but she was loaded and ready for her voyage west to Ponchatoula, Louisiana.
The Journey Home
The 10-hour round trip from Louisiana to Tallahassee and back might seem daunting to some, but when you're bringing home a piece of printing history, every mile feels like part of a pilgrimage. My husband Jason (making this trek for the second time—true dedication to the craft!) navigated the highways with our precious cargo secured in the trailer.
The Welcoming Committee
Once home, the real work began. Moving 900 pounds of cast iron isn't exactly a one-person job. My brother-in-law Jeremy and our friend Layton stepped up as our moving crew, carefully unloading this historic beast from the trailer and guiding it into its new home in our studio.
A Legacy Continues
What makes this press even more special is its provenance. Mr. Mika Fowler, who entrusted us with our pilot press previously, has once again passed along a piece of printing heritage for us to steward. There's a beautiful continuity in knowing that the hands that once operated this press believed we were worthy of carrying on its legacy.
Looking Ahead
Now settled in her new spot, this Chandler & Price is ready to begin its next chapter. The wooden feeding tables are smooth from decades of paper passing across them, the flywheel is eager to spin again, and we can't wait to see what this magnificent machine will create.
Some people collect stamps—we collect the machines that make them. Each press we add to our studio isn't just a tool; it's a connection to printing's rich history and a promise to keep this tactile art form alive in an increasingly digital world.
Stay tuned for our first projects from this beautiful machine. The adventure of bringing her home was just the beginning!
