John Harding , owner 

Francis Cupiss Ltd

Francis Cupiss Ltd was formed in 1830 and moved to its current premises in 1874. We still have our original Wooden and Metal Type with additional fonts added over the ensuing years. We have a Columbian Eagle Press (our first press) Heidelberg Platens, a A4 size Hand Platen and a Farley Proofing Press. Along with the various Letterpress Jobs our clients ask us to complete we offer Letterpress Experience Days where visitors can have instruction and print something of their choice on one of our presses, this could be anything from Wedding Invitations to 20” x 30” Posters. Although we are required to use modern technology to “print to make a living” when we have the time we endeavour to create Letterpress Prints using our historic equipment to promote the “Letterpress Ideals”.

image: Cupiss Office JPG.jpg

Cupiss Office JPG.jpg

1 comment about this listing

I will be retiring from letterpress printing later this year and my company Francis Cupiss Ltd will cease printing during July 2022 after 192 years.

Following an unsuccessful search to find someone to carry on the business it was decided to cease trading and try and find new homes for the type and equipment gathered by the company over its many years of trading.

We have managed to find good homes locally for a few items to people we know but this leaves a great deal of other type and equipment available to the letterpress community.

If this is of interest to yourself I can supply and inventory of the fonts we retain both wooden and metal, (please forward an address). You are also welcome to arrange a visit to see everything. There is a youtube video made in 2020 for a Heritage Open Day virtual tour. https://youtu.be/DCos6U7N6kY

We still possess and use the companies original Columbian Press along with a hand operated Guillotine by D J Grieg of Edinburgh (22 inch cut) and a Hampson Betteridge & Co. Printers Stone (30 inches x 48 inches).

If this is of interest, or you have any questions please feel free to get in touch.

Offers (buyer collects) accepted up to the 14th August 2022. With successful applicants notified on the 15th August.

All unsold items after the 14th will then be auctioned by a local auctioneer in a general auction.

Thank you for your time.