Bill Ritchie's Design work in Wisconsin
in the
Kim Grummer Collection
Likeness of Mini Etching Press No. 258, and its custom side-badge
Mini Etching Press #258
About Kim Schiedermayer nee Grummer: Kim was demonstrating the famous Arnold Grummer's papermaking kit in our area and chanced to come upon Ethan Lind - Seattle's Busker Etcher - using it to print on handmade paper at the Pike Place Market! When she saw his Mini Etching Press an idea was lit and she contacted me. On her next visit to Seattle in May, 2019, she came with her husband David and Ethan to the Mini Art Gallery. I demonstrated the press. She was sold because she'd been looking for an intaglio press to round out her father's dream of offering for papermaking, book arts and printing.
Specifications: Made in 2018. Mini Etching Press. Serial No. mep60258. Specifications: Equipped with a 6-inch wide, gear-and-rack-driven, 3/8 thick by 14" long acetal bed with safety stops. Rollers are 2 1/4" diameter polished, unique nickel-plated steel. The pressure screws are linked so they stay in sync. With a mechanical advantage of over 6:1, one can easily print 5 X 7 inch intaglio plates. Made of American black walnut hand-finished in tung oil for a satin luster. Embellished with hand-crafted brass barrel nut fasteners and custom side medallion.
With Kim and David Schiedermayer and Ethan Lind at Mini Art Gallery
Bill Ritchie's Comment: The late Arnold Grummer was a paper scientist and he had such a passion for paper that he designed an ingenius papermaking kit. Not only that, he developed a complete curriculum for beginners and schools because he - like many other papermakers - believed that papermaking is good for the mind and soul. His passion is carried on by his wife and Kim Schiedermayer, his daughter, who has added a line of book presses to go with the kits. Ethan introduced us with the hope of developing a suitable, matching "green" printing press.
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