I visited the Type Archive in Stockwell today, as they’re open to the general public for the first time ever, with a small but fascinating exibition - great if you have any interest in typography or graphic design. It’s free, and you can check days/times using Eventbrite. I definitely recommend it if you’re in the area!
I got chatting to one of their Trustees - they are an organisation of around 25 people with a passion for print, mostly long-retired experts from the printing industry (designers, engineers, machinists, etc.). They have an on-site collection of printing equipment and artefacts spanning 5 centuries(!), including large presses and a machine shop for repairing their equipment (they are entrusted with preserving the collection for the nation) - and they try to do some printing as often as possible. Although they don’t officially open most of the archive or their printing sessions to the public, it sounded like they might welcome a group visit from some interested people… anyone game? If so, add your Discourse handle to the wiki post below. If you’d like to bring any non-members, then add a +1, or +2, etc.
My long term is to try building one of these (much smaller, and not of cast iron since I’m skint). I would love to talk about the mechanisms sometime if you’re up for it.
Short term aims are pantograph for carving poster block type and then a little gutenberg type press.
Yeah this sounds amazing! My wife is a graphic designer and is all about typography and printing she would be so stoked on this too! Count us in if we can arrange a special visit!!
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