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I found this Superior Ace printing press in unused condition; it had never been inked. Amazingly, the bottle of ink was still good! If you're older, you might remember these from your childhood as tedious, messy machines. They are both of those things. But fun anyway… W and I printed out a pair of poems that I wrote in 2012.
These weren't supplied with very many pieces of rubber type—in order to print the second poem, I had to borrow a few esses from the first, removed as you can see in the picture above. The press came with all of the original books and tools. Apparently you could order other typefaces for it…shame I can't send off for them at $1 each set today!
Sent from my Superior Ace printing press
How very cute. I've never even seen one of these. I bet such toys inspired many kids to become printers, designers, authors ... or to wish for typewriters!
ReplyDeleteSomebody told me about them when I was about 10 and printing my own newspaper at the time (using Microsoft Paint to lay it out, of all things, and then photocopying it) and I'd wanted one ever since. It was only about a month ago when I realized I ought to try to look on eBay for one.
DeleteWhen they were new they sold for about half the price of toy typewriters. I bet quite a few of them didn't get much use when they were gifted to children, but some of the ones I've seen are incredibly well-used and I can imagine that's just what they went on to become. :)
Good grief that is a damn nice looking machine. Excellent find. I had something similar as a kid, but I think it died a painful and over-used death.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I need to find myself a Linotype machine.
That would be fantastic...
DeleteYes, what a pleasing design and with idiot-proof instructions on it too!
ReplyDeleteThose instructions are indispensable. XD Without them it would be rather confusing as the manual wasn't too helpful.
DeleteAmazing find! I've heard of these, but never seen one in such good condition. Welcome to the ranks of printing press operators :D
ReplyDeleteI was thrilled to find it on eBay buy it now for a reasonable price. :)
DeleteSuppose this is an easy way to get into it. XD
Congratulations on such a great find. Nice to find nice old things in good condition. First one of these I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteFantastic find!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you'll be printing your own well wishing postcards in the future eh? ;)
How cool! You can have lots of fun with this. Even more when you can find extra types!
ReplyDeleteNick, recently my "typewriter problem" branched out, developing a "vintage rubber stamp" problem. To stamp goofy stuff like, "Do Not Bend", "Hold for Pickup", etc. on the envelopes of the letters to my grandkids. Anyhow, in my eBay searches I've come across several stamp sets that include removable rubber type that looks just like that used for your printing machine - so I'm wondering if that might be a way to enlarge your set.
ReplyDeleteI had one as a kid. Bought most typefaces available and a bunch of clipart as well...
ReplyDelete