Caxton Press (United Kingdom)

The Caxton Press was founded in Shildon, County Durham in 1930 by Frank Warne. The business specialised in Letterpress printing, and boasted two 19th century, belt driven, hand fed printing presses, a Gordon and a Golding. During the 2nd World War Mr. Wawne took the unusual step of ordering a printing press for the business from [[http.//www.heidelberg-printing-press.com|Heidelberg], a German manufacturer. Hostilities meant that the sheet fed crown platen couldn't be delivered until 1952. The company went from strength to strength, specialising in Business cards, Invitations and bespoke wedding stationary, running from the original 'tin hut ‘in Mafeking Place, Shildon. On Mr. Wawnes retirement in 1989, the business was taken over by a Worthing Firm.

The introduction of modern processes including the offset printing methods and the introduction of computerised typesetting eventually brought about the closure of the major letterpress suppliers, forcing the business to finally close its doors in October 2002 after 72 years.

The business had no connection with William Caxton (1422-1491), the first British Printer, whose business was at the sign of the "Red Pale"