I am searching for information on where to purchase Vandercook proof presses in Europe (SP (N°4))?
(I also checked the other Brands section of the site… Are there comparable european brands of flat bed cylinder proof presses you would recommand?)
Thanks in advance! Greatings from Luxembourg
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Thanks a lot for all your responses (sorry for the delay in my reply)! Unfortunately we were too late for the Vandercook from Holland (did anybody heare about the price it was sold?). We are still about to discuss about the FAG… would be nice to have a Vandercook!
We also think about getting a press larger than 14×18″.
Further to my last, I should have said that, despite saying “local pick up only” on the listing, the seller happily arranged transport to the UK.
Quite coincidentally, I have just had an email from the seller of this Vandercook to say that all of her stuff has been sold to a single buyer. How about an FAG instead? There is one one Ebay at the moment from an excellent seller. I bought an Asbern from him, together with some cases of type, and his packing (crating, really) was exceptionally good. Anyway, have a look at item number 170177762605. I found the seller knowledgeable, honest and very easy to deal with. (It looks a nice press, and even has an adjustable bed.)
Daniel’s point about bed height is well taken. However a bed lower than type high (.918″) against the bed bearers can be built up with a cold-rolled steel bed plate. Whether this press is a 215 or a No. 4, it is essentially the same model, and replacement parts are available through “NA Graphics”:http://nagraph.com/ and they can and access the engineering drawings for custom fabrication if need be. A 215 Vandercook should be listed in their serial number model cards, but a No. 4 Vandercook built in the UK by Hunter Penrose Ltd. will have a separate four digit serial number. (I have not been able to find out if HPL records still exist). Please let us know what you decide, and if you do get it send me the press data and I will add it to the “census”:https://vandercookpress.info/vanderblog/census/.
Looking at the .pdf they have on that press it appears to have some very interesting characteristics. The press is identified as a Vandercook 4-G, but it appears more like a 215. I would suspect this was a press made under license, quite possibly in England.
It appears to be in rather nice shape, but I would suggest that you confirm that the bed is machined to a type high that is relevant in your home country before taking any serious steps toward purchasing/freighting it.
Daniel Morris
The Arm Letterpress
Brooklyn, NY
http://www.drukwerkindemarge.com/main/2007/11/elanpers_biedt_aan.html
Don’t know if it’s still unsold, but I have communicated at length (in English) about this press and other items the seller has available, and I found her very helpful. I only didn’t buy it because transport to the UK would be too expensive.