Re-Commissioning of the 1898 Albion Printing Press

Around the Year 1800, the Harrild & Sons company in England invented the first iron press. Since then, with numerous improvements, iron presses and several models based on them became widespread across Europe for decades. One such press was acquired in the late 1960s by the faculty of Visual Arts in Colombo, Sri Lanka, following a special request to the government by Dr. H. A. Karunaratne.

Today, at a time where history is fading from people’s lives, an event to celebrate the rebirth of this very iron press—the re-commissioning of the 1898 Albion Printing Press, a symbol of iron-crafted legacy—will take place at Department of Printmaking, Faculty of Visual Arts on the 4th of August 2025, marking a milestone not only for its young creator but also for the nation.

The press was revived by Shehan Fernando, (Consultant/Visiting Lecturer) a young passionate individual dedicated to the preservation of printmaking artifacts. With the support of all the lecturers, students of the Department of Printmaking, and his friends, he has successfully restored this ancient press, offering an avenue for future generations to take a glimpse of the legacy of letterpress printing.

As the lead figure in this revival, Shehan shared, “This is actually my first preservative press. I’m a lecturer and consultant in Printing and Graphics Technology. I saw this press at our university six years ago, and ever since, I dreamed of bringing it back to life. Tomorrow is the day that dream becomes reality.”

This event is not just a turning point for Sri Lanka, but also a reminder of something long forgotten—something that still bears the essence of human craftsmanship for over half a century. Join the re-awakening of the 1898 Albion Press and live in a moment where the past meets the future!

Department of Printmaking,
(Faculty of Visual Arts)
University of the Visual and Performing Arts,
Colombo 7,
Sri Lanka.