The Dryland Gazette

This printing press was used to print the Gravelbourg newspaper, "The Star."  The machine with all the keys is the type-setting machine.  As each key is pressed, there is a little brass letter that is held against a pot of hot lead metal, then a pump injects the lead into the form that is the word or name.  The lead is reused time after time. The machine on the west is a platen press - it was built in 1873.  There is no motor - it was operated by a treadle.  Most of the letterheads and business forms are made on this press.  The wooden trays are full of hand-set type.  Type was assembled into words on a stick and then put into the press.  The presses still work and were run for a few years by Larry Pion.

The shop is currently run by Bert Kroeker.

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