The Printer.
I love letterpress. The sound of palette knives on glass, and the sound of ink on rollers. Books, and paper, and waxed thread. Gridded rulers and pica rulers. Quoins, and keys, and furniture. Polymer plates, and boxcar plates, and magnet bases, and boxcar bases. I love how much I hate tricky registrations, and the dorky victory dances when I get it right. Difficulties, and complications, and solutions, and magic. I love that it isn’t easy, and I love that it’s beautiful. That’s why I do this.
The Press.
Palmer & Rey were type founders and manufacturers of printing presses in the 1800s. They built this little beauty on Sansome Street in San Francisco in 1887. The “California Reliable,” she was called. She had a long life that I know nothing about. That is until she wound up in the home studio of artist Kent Manske, where she sat idle for a decade before Kent reached out to book artist Macy Chadwick, who then reached out to yours truly. With the help of some super dedicated friends, I brought her home. Thanks to the advice of Alan Hillesheim and the roller expertise of Ramco Roller, I restored her. And in time, I started Pitsky Press with little miss “reliable.”
The little lady behind the name.
When I announced my new press to my mother, she said she had to look up the name and came back with an enthusiastic, “Pitbull + Husky = Pitsky. Celine!!” That’s right, Celine. She is the blue-eyed, big-eared little lady that inspired the name Pitsky Press. Starting this new venture, I wanted a name that would be wholly mine – light-hearted, doesn’t take itself too seriously, but still has meaning in my life. That’s what Celine is. Deep love and a true bond that can make me cry. But also, endless energy and a joy that gives me room to laugh and be silly. When something feels right, you know it – Pitsky Press.