Category: Letterpress for beginners
Later topic: Letterpress classes in Oklahoma?
Earlier topic: Is this a good buy?

Kelsey vs Adana

Hi All,

After many months of looking, I’ve finally found two presses that I might be able to get to Singapore (!!) but am now trying to decide which to go for. As a VERY new newbie, I was hoping for some help deciding between an Adana 8x5 or a 8x5 Kelsey Excelsior, both with rollers and in similarly good conditions.

Thanks!
Em

Log in to reply   6 replies so far

Em- functionally, there is very little difference between the two. Both of them will serve you well for many years. My personal preference would be for the Kelsey, but that is only due to familiarity. Kelseys are just more common here in the US.

Whichever press you get, please insist that the seller package it correctly. I get a LOT of e-mails from folks who had presses broken in shipment. There has been some discussion of proper packaging here in the forum. I’d recommend reading the discussions, and forwarding them on to the shipper prior to reaching an agreement.

I would go for the Adana. It is a press manufactured in UK but has been exported to all Commonwealth Countries and you may find help and spares more easily available.
Make sue you have rollers and runners and that it is properly packaged for transport.
If you need instruction booklets, I can let you have copies; just send me an email.
Mik

Mike, If its not too bold of me, I’d be interested in Adana instruction books as well. I’ve recently acquired an Adana 8 x 5 press but haven’t got the the printing stage yet.
Sue W (in Australia)

Thanks winking cat, I do love the antique appeal of Kelseys, which is a good thing since the Adana sold to someone else about 2 minutes after I posted this. Don’t you HATE ebay?

Mike, thanks for your generous offer! I was definitely leaning towards the Adana because shipping from the UK was significantly lower than from the US, and if I ever do get one I’ll be sure to email you for the instructions.

As for the Kelsey…I’m picking it up in NY and dismantling it and wrapping it in clothing to pack in a suitcase. Is this an ok way to transport it?

That would be one seriously heavy suitcase, but it should work. If flying with this, it will probably exceed the airline’s weight limit and you’ll pay extra. Also TSA may wonder about these strange objects in your bag and inspect it. Might be easier as a carry on. Still very heavy, but at least you could explain to the TSA folks what this is.

Thanks Arie!

That’s actually what the boyfriend suggested - though I have a feeling he doesn’t quite know what he’s getting himself into.

:)