It was a fascinating trip back in time when the Magnet visited Richard Jermyn's subterranean workshop this week.
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Since early February, Mr Jermyn of Pambula Lake has been welcoming visitors to explore the ancient craft of letterpress printing in a basement workshop off Imlay St in Eden.
Mr Jermyn demonstrates the craft using his extensive private collection of print materials which he has assembled over many years with much careful deliberation.
The incredible assembly of equipment includes a hand-powered Albion Press, countless drawers of lead lettering and graphic stamps, and he has even turned his hand to wood carving to create his own designs for the ink press.
However, he says what is on display is but a sample of what he has in in his private collection, which also includes working linotype machines - which weigh around a tonne apiece - and plenty more implements of a bygone era in printing.
"As the rest of the world goes forwards, I go backwards," he said.
Letterpress printing was the traditional form of printing text since its invention by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century until the 19th Century. It remained in wide use as the primary means of printing and distributing information until the second half of the 20th Century when offset printing was developed.
Clearly passionate about his work, Mr Jermyn opens the workshop to visitors on cruise ship days and is hopeful to attract some interest in his craft. The influx of visitors from cruise ships was principally the reason for setting up in Eden.
He was thrilled recently when a retired linotype engineer happened to walk into his workshop straight off the visiting Queen Elizabeth cruise ship.
"Typography is design and clarity. I am here to teach you how to communicate clearly.
"This equipment is a little outpost of resistance to commercialisation; all is of nature and can go back to nature. Almost everything we look at today is hazardous to nature."
Wood engravings have traditionally been used to illustrate printed work and Mr Jermyn continues to create intricate images on blocks of Tristania Laurina, a tree distinct to the south east region and ideal for carving he said.
Mr Jermyn finds the work he does meditative.
"It is sustained, routine, rhythmical. There is no noise, there are no motors. This is a reason I have gone back to the craft, it doesn't interrupt my mental processes."
The print workshop is located in the basement under Angela's Arcade on cruise ship days and at other times by appointment, 6495 7354.
