Looking for a 5x8 Letterpress for a beginner -C&P Pilot maybe?
Hello, I would love some advice. Im desperatly trying to source a 5x8 (or larger) tabletop letterpress. Now I would much prefer a floor model however unless I can find one of those in Australia, due to shipping I must settle for a tabletop version.
From all reports it seems that the C&P Pilots are the way to go. I have been watching ebay, searching the net and also searching this site for a seller to buy from. It seems most sellers loose interest as I require this press to be sent to Australia.
By all accounts I am more then happy to the international shipping rates and I am also willing to pay a sellers premium to cover the sellers time and effort to arrange international shipping.
I would also be interested in accessories suited to a beginner to start a small card making studio.
Does anyone have any advise or know of sellers who are happy to send their presses to new and lovely homes down under far far away to Australia?
Many thanks for your time.
Why not find a press in Australia? The Australian correspondents on Letpress don’t seem to have much trouble finding printing equipment. You can browse by location in the Yellow Pages here on Briar Press for museums and printers in Oz. I’m sure you’ll find someone who will help.
Can’t imagine how much you’d have to pay to ship a press there from the US or Europe. And tabletop presses like you’re asking about command premium prices just now. Floor model presses are much less expensive.
I agree with Arie. Ask around at printing shops, post some “Wanted to Buy” notes in grocery stores, and run a classified in the newspaper or weekly shopper. You should be able to find a nice little press pretty easily, The purhcase price will probably be far less than you would have paid for shipping, with no risk of damage to the press in shipment. About 30 years ago, many high-school and middle-school printing classes got rid of their letterpress equipment, so there are a lot of surplus Pilot presses (and their clones) around. I have two that a friend of mine bought for $5 each at a school auction about 15 years ago.