LAST LINOTYPE OPERATOR

Sydney Morning Herald

Way back in 1984, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper finally changed from hot metal typesetting and letterpress printing to Lithgograph and photosetting, meaning re-training for many of the 135 former linotype operators. The very last one to operate the very last linotype typesetting machine was Michael Lunn.

​

Michael recently visited the Museum just to nostalgically recall his time at the machine. He sat at the keyboard of the Model 8 Linotype; he smelled the oil and hot metal; he touched the keys and set a few lines and spoke of his years typesetting.

​

When he was satisfied and prepared to leave, Michael just happened to glimpse the museum’s presentation on display of  the Herald’s last days. Unbeknown to him or to any of  the museum’s guides, the young man depicted on the presentation was Michael himself.

​

Michael said he recalled vividly that day when a photographer ‘turned up with several cameras and many lenses, and said ‘smile for the camera’.’He heard no more of the event and put it out of his mind until some 35 years later when he saw it at the museum.

​

The smile on Michael’s face shows the satisfaction he felt having visited the museum.

New addition to the museum

The Penrith Museum of Printing is back open

GOOD NEWS --- WE'RE  BACK !

After several months of being closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the museum has finally re-opened to the public. The museum went through a thorough deep clean and general tidy-up before re-opening and has as per regulations formulated a Covid-safe plan. Hand sanitising is available as is the 1.5 metre spacing.

​

The museum opened on Sunday, 28th June to a large number of visitors, all keen to get out and about again, after self-isolating and for a short time will open each Sunday. When the regulations are relaxed somewhat the museum will open on Saturdays as well. 

Group tours are again available by arrangement, but limited to 12 people at a time.

After some four months self-isolating, the volunteers are also keen to "get back to it" and welcome the opportunity to show visitors the letterpress printing process using equipment from the early 1840's thought to more recent times, the mid 1950's. On display will be a selection of hand-set type and very early type-setting machines, printing on a Gutenberg inspired press, built in 1864," to a 1960's Heidelberg

​

​

​

​

The Columbian donated by  Fairfax was repainted and positioned in a pride of place. The machine was invented in 1816 and considered a major breakthrough and in fact the SMH was printed on this type of press some 140 years ago. This particular model, number 937 was manufactured in England in 1841. Delivered by ship to Sydney then transported by Bullock cart across the Blue mountains in 1872 where it commenced printing the Carcoar Chronicle until 1939 when the publication ceased. It sat rusting in the backyard until bought by John Fairfax and Sons Ltd in 1973. The machine was restored by engineering apprentices of the company to perfect working order and on display at Fairfax HQ  until recently. This press will now be the oldest piece of operating equipment in our fine museum. We will have it operating as part of our tours along side the Albion 1864 model.