A fully functioning Victorian Columbian handpress printing machine in the small print museum at the Amorini Antiques Centre in Birkenhead.
But the clank and grind of gears and cogs from a 19th century printing press might not be one of them unless you are visiting the Amorini Antiques Centre in Birkenhead on Merseyside where there is a small print museum.
The centre’s owner Carole McWilliams explains: “This was set up in 2019 by two retired printers, my husband Bob McWilliams and Ken Burnley with their particular interest being the preservation of a working letterpress printing shop. The centrepiece is the Victorian Columbian ‘Eagle’ iron handpress as well as smaller letterpress printing machines and a big range of metal and wood type. It’s used regularly for printing and workshops.”
Five minutes walk from the Woodside Ferry which links Birkenhead to Liverpool, the antiques centre has 30-plus dealers in 10 busy rooms. Carole said: “Since reopening post- Covid sales have been very good both to trade and public buyers particularly to tourists visiting Birkenhead.”
