“I have access to a very old Columbian Eagle Press in a state of disrepair and in urgent need of a new home. Rather than send it to scrap, can you recommend somewhere for it? And although I don’t own it, it does have some sentimental value to the owner so, it can’t end up on eBay!” he explains, adding “there is a rumour it may be Number One.”

The Columbian was invented in 1813 and is a thing of beauty (even if this one might need some beautification), and there is an excellent homage to the press’s design – including that iconic eagle counterweight – by Justin Knopp on his Typoretum blog. “The Columbian is by far the most lavishly decorated of all iron handpresses, although it must be noted that many of the embellishments function perfectly well as the working parts of the press,” he says. See bit.ly/Columbian-eagle for more.

Overmatter will be in contact with the remaining printing museums to see if there’s any interest in it. But if there is anybody out there who could provide this veteran print kit with a loving home – sharpish – and who fancies something of a restoration project, please get in touch.