UCSD’s Sixth College
Unveils Antique Platen Press
Last fall UCSD’s Sixth College became the proud owner of a Pearl Improved No. 11 platen press, manufactured in 1909. Thanks to the cooperation of the International Printing Museum’s director, Mark Barbour, the quick thinking of San Diego Books Arts member Kathy Miller, immediate action by UCSD Special Collections Librarian Lynda Claassen, and the sight-unseen acceptance by Sixth College Provost Gabriele Wienhausen, Walter Chisholm’s press made its way from his Chula Vista garage to the Smart Classroom at Sixth.
Mr. Chisholm bought the press when he was fifteen years old, in the mid 1940s, and became one of many “boy printers” of those bygone days. On it he printed business cards, letterheads, envelopes, invoices and other stationery for friends, neighbors, and local businesses. In a few years, however, it was off to the Navy, a career in the printing industry, family and other pursuits, and the press languished in a corner of the garage. The sale of the house prompted his call to the Printing Museum, and a few days later the press, in a wooden crate, along with a couple of dozen cases of type and a sixty-year accumulation of dust, arrived, much to the astonishment, and perhaps dismay, of Sixth College’s staff.
Up stepped museum docent Gary Miller and Al Rodríguez to whip the press into shape. With the support of Director Linda Strauss, and Business Manager Nieves Rankin, the two men set to work. New rollers were ordered. The roller support arm was repaired at a welding shop. Replacement feedboard arms, a brayer plate, and the treadle were purchased from Mike “The Golding Guru” Anton in St. Louis. Al made replacements for the feed tables, as well as the wooden parts of the storage compartment in the base.
After several months of almost weekly visits, along with quite a few hours in home workshops, the press was scraped, wire-brushed, ground, scoured, repaired, refurbished, washed, painted and fine tuned into readiness. A type cabinet was purchased, which now contains a few fonts salvaged from Mr. Chilsholm’s donation, and Mark Barbour brought down a four-wide galley cabinet which will be used as a composing stone and storage area.
On Thursday, March 15, around forty people, including Mr. Chisholm, celebrated the beginning of the press’s new life at Sixth College. A keepsake, designed by student Maggie Chan, with lead type from the college’s own type cases, was printed and handed out. Provost Wienhausen discussed how well the fundamental theme of Sixth College, “culture, art, technology,” was embodied in the antique press, looking back to Gutenberg’s invention of movable type at the inception of the Renaissance, and the profound impact it had on the development of the world as we know it today. Some visitors had a chance for a little “hands-on” operation of the press, and all enjoyed the delicious refreshments.
 |
 |
| Al with the press “before.” | The Pearl in all its glory. |
 |
 |
| Pieces and parts. | Phew! Nothing left over. |
 |
 |
| Two views of the Pearl with galley cabinet and type cabinet. | |
 |
 |
| Walter, Al and Gary preparing to print. | Walter with some amazed reception guests. |
 |
 |
| Gary shows the chase with type and cut to the group. | Al provides the power, as the treadle was not yet installed. |
 |
 |
| Chancellor Gabrielle Wienhausen talks about 6th College and the press. | Linda Strauss, Core Sequence Director; Lynda Claassen, Head, Special Collections; Gabrielle Wienhausen, Provost; Walter Chisholm, donor of the press; Al Rodríguez; Gary Miller. |
 |
 |
| Gary and Walter with the Pearl. | The finished press. |