My Albion press

I am lucky enough to have a beautiful 1876 Hopkinson & Cope  Albion relief press. It has a large bed which means I am able to print linocuts up to 72cm x 52cm in size. It was originally made for commercial book printing and works by placing the inked lino onto the iron bed of the press, a sheet of paper is then placed on top of the inked surface. The bed is then wound under the platen (top iron plate) by the handle attached to the press. The lever is then pulled forward which brings the platten down, pressing the paper onto the lino , thereby creating an impression. The handle is then released, the bed wound back and the paper removed to reveal the printed image!