A new member of the family March 29, 2008
A couple of weeks ago, I came across a posting for a Sigwalt Ideal #5 which is a tabletop press similar to a pilot. I love my pilot but, what I really like about the Sigwalt is that the platen has open sides so there isn’t a paper size restriction as on the pilot. This also makes it easy to add and remove packing without prying the bars open. The press is also in great condition, with all visible gold painted embellishments. There are several tabletop Sigwalts in the “Ideal” series and can get confusing to which one you might have so I have compiled a list that will help you. The Sigwalt company made presses from the 1900’s to around 1962.
Ideal No. 2, 3×5
Ideal No. 3, 4×6 (60lbs)
Ideal No. 4, 5×7.5 (90lbs)
Ideal No. 5, 6×9 (125lbs)
I wasn’t able to take a picture of my new press but as soon as I do, I will be sure to post it. In the meantime, here is a “stand in” picture from Oriscus.
lucky you! it seems tough to get hold of a good-sized tabletop platen press! congrats on your find and good luck with it.
Comment by meg — April 2, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Congrats! I just picked up a Ideal #5 as well and it’s a beautiful looking letterpress. I was wondering if yours came with a manual?
Comment by Ted — April 4, 2008 at 11:32 am
new to your lovely and informative blog! i have a little sigwalt (i’m guessing it’s as #2 by your post) that i have yet to print on. this one looks like a ‘giant’ one of mine! it’d be great to see them all lined up.
Comment by jhayne — May 21, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Hi,
I love your blog–I found it because I wanted advice on registration for a proof press–I just bought on ebay a line-o-scribe proof press and am going to pick it up this week. I had to write when I saw the photo of the Sigwalt which I found when I was waiting for my Sigwalt Ideal #5 to arrive from across the country! also bought on ebay. I wish there were some sort of newslist for Sigwalt owners. I found a woman in Massachusetts who helped me over the internet with my beginners issues. Hooray for the kindness of strangers! I was hoping to print my woodblock prints on the Sigwalt but it’s not so good at that. So I’m hoping the proof press will be just the ticket!
Comment by Lynn Starun — September 2, 2008 at 9:40 pm