In 1881 Cleveland, Ohio...
...was a major industrial center and home to a fledgling company run by Harrison T. Chandler and William H. Price. Like other printing equipment makers of the day, the Chandler & Price 'old series' letterpress was based on the Gordon Jobber design whose patent had expired. Unlike the others though, a C&P press was truly built to last. It became the pressman's favorite and the 3/4 ton beauties were soon found in print shops across the nation.
With most of their competition eliminated, the improved C&P New Series letterpress range was introduced in 1911. For the next 50 years, society and business was fueled by literature produced on C&P machines. By the mid 20th Century, with the rise of offset lithography, letterpress printing became a thing of the past. Chandler & Price made their last press and closed in 1964.
Computer imaging transformed the graphic arts industry even further beyond recognition from the 1970s through the new millennium. Some letterpress machines were kept in operation by a handful of traditional craftsmen. Commercial printers also used them for scoring, perforating, numbering and die-cutting. Most presses that were not sold for scrap sat unused collecting rust and dust caused by the new digital era.
Today, a revival is taking place. With sturdy trucks and sturdier backs letterpress machines of all descriptions are being salvaged, saved and restored by hardcore creative individuals everywhere.
We've created this website and new art print shown below as a tribute to this mechanical marvel born in our backyard. Although they never really died, Chandler & Price lives again. We look forward to the day when American manufacturing may again do the same.
A Chandler & Price letterpress is an American classic. Built in Cleveland, Ohio for 83 years, these machines were once the workhorse of the printing industry. Many are still in operation today across the country.
Cranky Pressman is proud to call northeast Ohio home to our letterpress printing shop which of course includes C&P on the equipment list.
The C&P Letterpress Art Print has been created for graphic design enthusiasts, anyone who likes vintage machinery or just needs a damn nice poster to frame and hang on their wall.
Poster Print Specifications:
- Printed on a Chandler & Price New Series Letterpress.
- Trim size 12"x16"
- 2-color letterpress printing (red and blue print shown above).
- 110 lb. cover stock made of 100% post consumer waste.
- Design and illustration by Luke Bott.
- See more photos of the art print on flickr.
- Ships flat with protective cardboard backing.
- Picture frame not included.
~ Buy your Print now for $23 ~
Prints are available now and will ship within 2 working days of order.
