What Is It?

At the Common Press, where I work, we were just given this press, but we're not quite sure what it is exactly... It was described to use as a plate press, and when I did a little research, I found similar looking presses that were called arming or embossing presses. If it is one of these, I'm wondering if there used to be some sort of heating mechanism and how it could be restored.

The only other clue here is that the maker's name is E. Ermold of New York. I did find some old printing trade publications that mentioned his name and that he sold embossing presses, but no images. 

If you know anything about how this press might work, I'd be interested to learn more. Thanks!

 :: new mystery press ::

:: E. Ermold ::

:: the steel base pulls out and has a broken wooden hinged frame ::

Foil Stampers, Teddy Pendergrass, and

It's Friday night. I'm sitting in my little studio here at Penland, thinking about foil stamping machines, and listening to Teddy Pendergrass.

Turn off the lights by Teddy Pendergrass. It was a case of a rare, auspicious, ITunes shuffle. I heard this song for the first time seven years ago at a party when a friend of a friend played it for me because I didn't believe it was a real song. Well, it's a real song. About showering and other things. Really, download it if you have the time.

I have a theory that the best music is the stuff you're embarrassed to listen to around acquaintances. For me, this would include

- The Traveling Wilburies

- most of the Roxy Music catalogue

- Scott Walker

- Journey

- Fleetwood Mac's Tango in the Night

Yep.

I've been dreaming of possibilities of foil stamping and embossing. It could add such an interesting element to book designs. Dammit, I want a foil stamper. They're pricey little buggers though, and I know very little about them. I'll have to do some research.

I'm very interested in industrial tools that could be used for more personal projects.

It's gorgeous stuff anyway, and I can dream about it.

Like this journal I saw on FPO: For Print Only.

Also from FPO...

An Alexander Girard book