October Press
Fine Letterpress Printing
Printing is done on antique presses. The Golding Official #4, rolled off the assembly line on October 23, 1891, thus the name “October Press“. The 10×15 Chandler & Price was made in 1920
Deborah Kessler – Proprietor and printer.
Rooted in history and tradition
October Press is located in the Bluegrass Region of Lexington, Kentucky, an area rich in private press history and tradition.
Our broadsides are signed by authors. Illustrations are commissioned from artists who specialize in wood engraving and drawing for letterpress. Wood engravings are printed directly from the wood block. Drawings are transferred to photoengraved magnesium plates for relief printing. Text is printed from metal type that is hand-set, letter by letter, then inked and impressed into finest quality papers.
“The letters don’t get their true delight, when done in haste and discomfort, nor merely done with diligence and pain, but first when they are created with love and passion.”
— Giambattista Bodoni, printer and typographer, 1740-1813
