Cheltenham and then Belgium

The University of Gloucestershire at Cheltenham took delivery of a nice A2 sized Farley self-inking proof press. Giles and I then went to Antwerp for 4 days to deliver an Albion and then help Patrick sort out his recently acquired extension to house his huge collection of presses and typecasting equipment. We achieved a lot and cycled to and from the warehouse every day which is a great form of unwinding after a long hard day. Patrick asked us to accompany him to Voorburg near the Hague on the Saturday to collect a load of equipment from the Die Hague Press which is closing down after being run since 1927. There was much equipment there which Henk the owner donated to Patrick's not inconsiderable collection. We shifted two imposing surfaces, a large pallet of Monotype spares, a pallet of Monotype keybanks, a very large nipping press on a stand, an intertype magazine rack, a swedish reciprocating proof press and many small items. We also removed two Monotype keyboards, palletised and got the Monotype composition caster ready for a return trip. Henk was finding it hard to part with things but I am sure more will find its way to Antwerp! There was also a magnificent large M A N stop cylinder with feeder, a Nebiolo cylinder and a Mercedes cylinder. Sadly they are all destined for the hammer as getting them out is going to be tricky!