Category Archives: Uncategorized

The words of Hermann Zapft below, printed by Christopher Wakeling at his Corvus Works Press, are a good description of just what ‘light and shadow and of three dimensions’ that letterpress provides.

To me, one of the most missed activites of ‘Lockdown’ has been music making with others. As a very amateur – and late starter – violinist, the joy of playing with two orchestras has become a huge part of my life. Both the ‘Truly Terrible Orchestra’ (a perfect description) and the Ness Sinfonia, a moreContinue reading “Play Orchestra Play..”

The joy of a Private Press is that one can print exactly what one wants and I got great satisfaction today in printing a poster for a very old friend of mine Jonathan Thomson, who aged seventy five has just (today) completed the grulling Route 500 round the North of Scotland. He started at InvernessContinue reading ““JOB DONE”- A Personal Poster”

One of the joys of running a private press is that one can print for one’s friends as and when appropriate. For the last two years we have had a lovely French tenant (Natalie) living in the small flat over my print work-shop , who is now sadly having to go back to live inContinue reading “New Posters”

Some new type has just arrived, cast by the wonderful Stan Lane of Gloucester Typesetting Services. stan@gloucestertypesetting.com I had ordered for some 24pt Monotype Borders No. 198, 321 and 322 so that I can add decently sized borders to my posters. The type came beautifully packaged and I have broken it down and used someContinue reading “New Monotype Borders”

The memorial is planned to be located at the National Memorial Arboretum, the UK’s year-round centre of Remembrance. The Arboretum is a place which helps people to reflect and to be inspired, and where they can celebrate lives lived and a place to commemorate lives lost in service. The Submariner Memorial will commemorate the sacrificeContinue reading “The Submarine Print for the Submariner Memorial Appeal at the National Memorial Arboretum”

So on Wednesday 8th July a large ten ton lorry forced its way up my long drive from the road, navigating some overhanging trees on the way. And then disgorged a pallet with the Victoria parallel motion press onto the tarmac, all well packed and shrink wrapped by Chris Wakeling, the previous owner in Consett.Continue reading “The Victoria Press is Installed!”

Another verse from ‘The Laws of the Navy’ by Captain Ronald Hopwood, first published in the Army & Navy Gazette on 23rd July 1898. ‘Who knows when thou mayest be tested’ are rather judicious words that unfortunately apply to us all – in every walk of life. These cards are oversized one third A4 andContinue reading “Dependeth the might of the chain”

In two weeks time I will be installing a Victoria Parallel Platen Press in my workshop here in Inverness. The press, made in Germany in 1932, is a beautiful piece of machinery with a parallel motion that helps provide the same impression all over a ‘pull’. The press also has an excellent inking system, andContinue reading “Victoria Parallel Platen Press”

‘There is a tide in the affaires of men’ are well known words, but maybe not everyone will immediately know that they were spoken by Brutus in Act 4 of Julius Caesar. To me they state that when in life, a chance or opportunity shows itself, one must grab it. It is also said thatContinue reading “The Words of Brutus”