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Watch a detailed restoration video of a Chicago No.11 letterpress printing press from the 1920s by Sigwalt Mfg. Co. Follow along as the restorer tackles significant challenges including a broken cast iron base and missing ink rollers while preserving the vintage aesthetic. Learn about the meticulous process of documenting and recreating destroyed original decals and pin-striping, and see how modern oil-resistant rubber is used to replace the ink roller material. The restoration showcases the press's simple mechanical design with few screws, and demonstrates how the original lead letters spelling "Clough Drug Store" from Seymour, Texas (with a 3-digit phone number dating it to pre-1940s) are used to print example business cards. Gain insights into the fine-tuning required to achieve perfect prints and consider the possibilities of creating custom printing stamps. The 28-minute video includes acknowledgments to collaborators and mentions food-grade penetrating oil as a safer alternative for restoration work.
