Participant Info
- First Name
- David
- Last Name
- Celani
- Press Name
- Private Press of Dave Celani
- City
- Bay City
- State
- Michigan
- Country
- dave AT davecelani.com
- Website or Blogsite
- davecelani.com
- Year You Started with Letterpress
- 1956
- How You Got Involved In Letterpress Printing
- <p style="text-align: justify;">I was 9 or 10 years old when I first became interested in the mass distribution of words. It was probably around the time I first heard of Gutenberg. Like many others, I had a rubber type printing outfit at a young age. I studied printing at a technical high school and at the same time, I purchased my first 10 x 15 C&P.</p>
- Presses & Equipment
- <p style="text-align: justify;">I did some downsizing about 6 years ago. It’s amazing how much one can accumulate without half trying. Currently, I am running a 10 x15 C&P, and an old Vandercook Number 1. I have two type banks with about 50 fonts of type. I also have another 200 fonts on galleys. A Triumph Paper Cutter, MBM folder, antique Pitney Bowes FH-AF folder, a Kwikprint Model 86 and several Franklin foil stamping machines. Several Warner Rubber Stamp Vulcanizers. A Swingline Electric Stapler and an Acme #1 Stapler. Roll and sheet Laminators, GBC comb binder, and the usual array of Round Corner machines, Paper Drills, Collators, Paper Jogger, Ajax Eyelet Fastener etc. etc.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">This after downsizing, Prior to downsizing, add in 3x5 & 5x7 Kelseys, 6x10 Pilot, 8x12 C&P several Showcard presses. More than any sane person should have.</p>
- Education & Training
- I studied printing at a technical high school in Detroit, Michigan.
- Work History
- <p style="text-align: justify;">After High School, I worked in the printing industry for a while, but I could never make the money I needed to support the lifestyle I wanted. I tried letterpress, offset, silkscreen and newspaper. I even tried working for myself. For most of my life, I’ve either had a printing press of had access to one. In 1968, I took a position with Detroit Edison (the local utility). They did a pretty good job of supporting my lifestyle. After 30 years, I retired at age 57 with pension and benefits. I haven’t worked for money since.</p>
- Other Interests & Hobbies
- <p style="text-align: justify;">I write a two-page article each quarter for a stamp collector’s newsletter. It’s about printing and stamps of course!</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">I’m a director of a Historical Society and Museum in Watrousville, Michigan. (In the thumb of Michigan.) I do all their printing. Needless to say, it’s a small organization. They like the “antique” factor of the printing. And of course, I don’t charge them. I also maintain their website WWW.watrousville.com and write a four+ page newsletter, twice a year for them.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">I repair and collect antique clocks and watches. I also have a small collection of antique electrical and mechanical machines. Check writers, Hat Band imprinters, fountain pen monograming machine, etc.</p>
- Letterpress Group Memberships, If Any
- APA, AAPA, NAPA
- Birth Year
- 1941