Fine craftsmanship on display

The McIvor Times printing business began in 1863 and continued until 2020.

In later years this was confined to file printing and photocopying in the paper’s High Street office, but the early days saw intricate hand-set work for a range of different clients.

From dance cards to show society tickets and everything in between, these items were often colourful and always beautifully finished.

Some of them were produced on the original hand-pulled Hopkinson & Cope press which survived a fire in 1865 and was still in limited use until the 1990s.

A London-built Wharfedale press and then a Dawson Summit were also acquired as the business grew and the old technology was superseded.

The Hopkinson & Cope Press was donated to the McIvor Historical Society in 2008 and is now part of their museum’s permanent display.

The historical society holds many examples of work by the McIvor Times press.

Dance cards reflect a pre-television era when balls were a welcome highlight for residents and scribbled names on dance cards often marked the beginning of lifelong unions.

On a more sombre note, one of the most prized items is a silk booklet produced for a memorial service for King Edward VII in 1910.