I had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with Mike Beck (BEP Plate Printer) while at the 2011 World Fair of Money. He walked through the process of preparing a plate and printing on the spider press. It was one of the highlights for me at the show. Steps: 1. Prepare the paper by getting it wet. Mike said his process is to get one piece wet then stack three dry pieces on top, repeat and let set over night. In the morning all three pieces have the same amount of moisture. He says it is important to have just the right amount of moisture as too wet and the ink is repelled, to dry and the paper does not take the ink properly from the plate. 2. Ink the plate (generously) 3. Wipe ink off the surface using plastic scraper 4. wipe additional ink off using a tarlatan wipe 4. powder your hand using chalk you would use on your hand when you play pool 5. wipe your hand over plate to remove any additional ink 6. inspect the plate and rewipe as needed 7. place the paper then plate on the press then run the press 8. remove the print and place it between two pieces of craft paper and let set overnight (will pull the water from the print) While I was there a man came in with an engraving of his great great grandfather. He only had an old print from it that was not in very good condition. Mike worked to provide the gentlemen with a nice new print. The process was slow to insure he did not damage the plate. It was thinner than the normal BEP plate so Mike had to adjust the amount of pressure he applied until he achieved a result he was happy with. It was a really cool experience to watch the process and the resulting print. Very impressive! Hope you enjoy the pictures. Sorry about the quality of some of them. I only brought my phone the 2nd day which was not nearly as nice as the digital camera I had with me on the 1st day. Best Regards ~ Darryl
Mike Beck is a really great guy. He was at the Worlds Fair in Boston last year and he treated my son like royalty. We have great pics of Christopher actually running the spider press. Richard
I couldn't agree more, it was a great experience and he answered every question I could think to ask. Your son will remember that experience for the rest of his life, that's really nice that Mike did that.
What a great experience! I saw Mike working when BEP was at the ANA show in Portland several years ago. Didn't get to see the whole process, though, so thanks for taking pictures. You lucked out if you were able to pick up a hand-pulled Franklin souvenir card (the best one of that series, imho). And the coolest thing -- a plate of the 1893 Columbian Expo award diploma!
Thanks Steve, Thanks to MikeNoodle I was able to get the one in the photos above. We pooled our tickets to get one for me and Viper gave his winner to Carlton. It was pretty cool to get 1 of the 100! And I agree with Gsalexan - it is the best of the three! Quick story: Mike was printing examples for the people gathered around. When he did one piece a man standing next to me asked if the ink was still wet and if it would smear. Mike said of course it is and took a finger and rubbed it across the ink :so-sad: . He printed many examples during the show that were tossed in the trash. I wish I could have figured a way to sneak the bag at the end of the day! They were probably taken back to the BEP to be shreaded. I am sure Mike enjoyed watching our jaws drop when he did it! I am sure it was priceless...
Greg ~ Glad you appreciated this specific piece. One of Mike's comments was that this piece is thought to be one of the best engravings done, I could hardly disagree and would have loved to study a print in my hands!
Obviously you didn't see the guys in dark suits standing around the BEP exhibit but I can Guarantee you they were there. Richard
When you don't plan on doing anything inappropriate you can choose to ignore the suits. Been around and have talked with enough suits to appreciate they are there protecting our nations treasures & secrets. It is fun to dream a little even if its not really possible.
The suits weren't very obviouse when I was there at Boston EXCEPT when they allowed a photo to be taken of Christopher and I holding the sheet of 12 $100,000 notes. when that sheet came out of the case they were VERY obvious!
You are welcome numismania! I am glad I was able to experience the show and what the BEP and Mint were able to share! The least I could do is share a little with the community here at CT. Ziggy ~ I am sure that was an eye opening experience when they became very obvious!
This is such an amazing thread. The pics really do the story a greater justice and connect it in a great way. Thanks so much for sharing!
Darryl, related to plate printers, I posted something yesterday in the Souvenir Cards thread that I think you'll appreciate. http://www.cointalk.com/t94663-31/#post1255043
