Homeward Bound - Bookbinding Supplier

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Homeward Bound - Bookbinding Supplier

Purveyors of quality used bookbinding equipment. Restorers and suppliers of antique printing presses.

Les Baynham has been restoring equipment and running Homeward Bound since the 1980's. Originally Les had his own printing and publishing company and also studied bookbinding at Guildford College. Both of these allowed him to gain a deeper knowledge of the tools of the trade and so he began to buy, sell and restore. Since then he has supplied most universities, including Bath, Cambridge, Brighton,

Guildford, Corpus Christie, Lambeth Palace, Royal Library Windsor Castle, British Library and the Natural History Museum. He has supplied equipment for film and TV, including Harry Potter and LWT series 'Lewis'. Bernard Middleton and Sir Michael Gambon are among the more famous clients from the past. Sir Michael asked Les to fully restore a blocking press as a present for his wife (who is a keen binder and looks after his huge library!).

08/08/2026

This Blocking Press when restored will be on it's way to a Fine Bookbinder in the Shetlands and will be finished in Green (as requested) exactly like the accompanied photo. Really looking forward to this one!!

3 more of these fine 'Mackay' Blocking Presses' available.🤤

31/07/2026

FOR SALE (awaiting Restoration)
We have just purchased this early 'Mackay' Hot Foil Blocking Press which came from the 'Rowntree Sweet Factory' in York - England, famous for their Kit Kat/Fruit Pastels and Smarties'. It still has their brass name plate attached and will remain on the press after restoration.

The Press will have a full back to bare metal restoration with all new electrics etc. and will be finished to the very high standard as all of our presses.

The Blocking Image area is approx. 260mm x 260mm

A deposit of 25% would secure the press and restoration would be complete in approx. 12/14 weeks.

If interested, contact us for price & full details.
Call Les: 01547 530630
Email: [email protected]
UK Only

29/07/2026

Just finished restoring this 19th c Gally Proof Press made by John Essons - London. Demonstrated and collected yesterday by Graeme Hobbs - Writer & Printmaker from Hay-on-Wye.

It can print an image size of 65cms x 230cms although we only had an A4 Zinco die here at the time (printed image as per photo).

The bed was badly pitted so we had a rare specialist company carry out what is called 'Machine Surface Planing' (not surface grinding) to obtain a perfect flat and true surface. The side rails, that the roller runs on, had to be machined down to the exact amount removed from the bed to maintain correct 'Type High'.

Well worth the effort I think!!

25/07/2026

We have just been commisioned to restore this fantastic very early 'N. J. Hill. Board Cutter’.

N.J. Hill were fine makers of early bookbinding machines and presses since the 19th century.

We purchased this many years ago and have been waiting for the day to come when we would be asked to work on this exciting project.

The board cutter will be totally dismantled, taken back to bare metal (by hand NOT sand blasted) and checked to ensure there are no breaks or fractures in the casting.

All painted surfaces will be spray primed and top coat finished. All unpainted surfaces including the beds, nuts and bolts will be polished to a mirror like finish.

All timber work will be sanded and polished.
The blades will be professionaly sharpened and honed and set up for accurate cutting.

All embelishments, lettering etc will be detailed in gold.

When finished this fine board cutter will be on its way
to a large stately home library bindery.
Very excited!!

24/07/2026

Another fully restored 'Mackay' Hot Foil Blocking Press just finished and delivered to Edward Cheese. He is an accredited Conservator specialising in the repair and care of manuscripts working at the The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge and has worked for 20 years at 'Cambridge College Libraries'.

Another 80 year old 'Mackay' Blocking Press going on to a new life!

23/07/2026

FOR SALE: Sewing Frame
Nice lovely Victorian Wooden Sewing Frame.
580mm between uprights.
£135.00 No VAT including postage & packing (UK Only)

07/04/2026

Just purchased this really nice Scoring/Creasing Machine made by William Crossland Ltd approx. 85 years ago.

William Crossland Ltd were specialist in manufacturing heavy duty Cutting & Creasing Machinery for the Printing & Bookbinding Industry since the mid 1800's.

Although in great working condition, we are really looking forward to fully restoring this to a very high standard (as usual!!) and hope that it finds a a new home to continue to do a great job.

It has a fully adjustable depth of Score/Crease and has interchangable wheels. A nice feature is it has cast iron oil wells wells each end of the bed which allows the rails to be oiled to give effotless smooth operation when moving the head from left to right. When Scoring/Creasing thicker board, the the wheel can be lowered at each pass to increase the depth of cut.

Size: 840mm (33") x 450mm (17.5")

13/11/2025

SOLD

Just in a 'Harrild & Sons' Board Cutter. It is in really nice original condition with no breaks or repairs. It cuts superbly and has nice features as you would expect from this maker.
I have decided to offer this as 'unrestored' due to the efficient way it cuts.
(We are currently totally restoring the exact same model but much bigger for The University of Glasgow).

Cut Length: 86cms 9 (34" approx).
Bed Size: 96cms long (38" approx) / 84cms wide (33" approx)
Overall size: 102cms x 102cms (40" x 40" approx)

Delivery & Installation can be arranged. UK only.

If interested, please contact us.
[email protected]
01547530630

11/11/2025

Another Fully Restored Board Cutter delivered to 'The Leather Conservation Centre’ ready for their Open Day at the New Conservation Centre in Leicester.
(still have another 8 Board Cutters awaiting Restoration in Stock!!).

Watch this space for a rare situation, we have for sale, a really nice 'Harrild & Sons' Board Cutter which cuts & functions so nicely that we would
like to offer it unrestored if anyone wants to take advantage of this Pre Christmas Sale 🎄, photos
and specification to follow.

Address

2 The Fold Yard
Bucknell
SY70DH

Telephone

+441547530630

Website

https://www.therustypress.co.uk/

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