Members of Australia’s Society of Old Friends stepped back in time during an extended visit to the Penrith Museum of Printing.

During the one-and-a-half hour visit, the passionate group of print industry enthusiasts were treated to a captivating display of operational printing equipment expanding on the history of printing from 1450 to the late 1900s.

Intertype and Ludlow linecasters producing hot “slugs” brought back memories, and visitors saw the Common Press, Columbian, Albion, Chandler & Price, Arab Heidelberg platen, and 1880 Wharfedale presses, each with its own intriguing story.

During the lunch that followed Andy McCourt gave a talk on Boxwood Illustrators, and presented the Museum’s Bob Lockley with his copy of the 1973 Penrose Annual, which outlines the engravers’ history. This event and presentation complement the donation by Neil Muleveny of Champion Press of a Boxwood sample and proof (pictured).

Members are eager to deepen their understanding of the remarkable craft from the Victorian age, and displayed samples dating back to the late 1800s, sparked various discussions.