Communications

Tools of communication have transformed American society time and again over the past two centuries. The Museum has preserved many instruments of these changes, from printing presses to personal digital assistants.

The collections include hundreds of artifacts from the printing trade and related fields, including papermaking equipment, wood and metal type collections, bookbinding tools, and typesetting machines. Benjamin Franklin is said to have used one of the printing presses in the collection in 1726.

More than 7,000 objects chart the evolution of electronic communications, including the original telegraph of Samuel Morse and Alexander Graham Bell's early telephones. Radios, televisions, tape recorders, and the tools of the computer age are part of the collections, along with wireless phones and a satellite tracking system.

This American common press was made by Francis Shield in about 1811. The press included an American open hose, a platen attached by hose bolts and faced with iron. It includes is original tympan and frisket, but its plank was repaired in the Museum.
Description (Brief)
This American common press was made by Francis Shield in about 1811. The press included an American open hose, a platen attached by hose bolts and faced with iron. It includes is original tympan and frisket, but its plank was repaired in the Museum. It is marked on the hose “F SHIELD.” The press has a height of 75 inches, a width, at cheeks, of 29.5 inches, and a length of 70 inches. The platen measures 12.5 inches by 18 inches.
The press was made by Francis Shield, a Londoner, who set
up his press-building factory in New York in 1811 soon after
arriving in the country. In England Shield had built iron Stanhope
presses. Here, he produced a press that is typically American in
style, with open hose and heavy simple timbers instead of the box
hose and lighter timbers of English presses. This may be the press
that he made for the Long Island Star—one of the first two presses
that he built in the United States.
The press arrived at the Museum with an unusual “stone,” or type
bed seated in plaster, which was a cast-iron plate measuring 20 inches by 26.25 inches. The bed was one inch thick and it included a raised iron box in the center. It was evidently a late addition recycled from some other kind of apparatus, that was probably not a printing press. The plate has been removed.
Donated by the Friends of Long Island’s Heritage, 1987
Citations: Philip Gaskell, “A Census of Wooden Presses,” in
Journal of the Printing Historical Society 6, 1970 (census no.
17, p. 31); Elizabeth Harris, “The American Common Press,” p.
46, in Journal of the Printing Historical Society no. 8, 1978; Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
Date made
circa 1811
date made
ca 1811
maker
Shield, Francis
ID Number
1987.0471.01
accession number
1987.0471
catalog number
1987.0471.01
This American common press dates from about 1815. It was incomplete upon its arrival at the Smithsonian, but was restored in 1972.
Description (Brief)
This American common press dates from about 1815. It was incomplete upon its arrival at the Smithsonian, but was restored in 1972. The press has a height of 75 inches a width, at cheeks, of 32 inches and a length of 67 inches; its platen measures 13.5 inches by 19.5 inches.
The press has its original cheeks, spindle, plank with coffin,
and bar, but is missing all of its other original parts, including the
nut and the hose, which often carried the maker’s name. The
surviving parts are typical of presses made in about 1815 by Adam Ramage of Philadelphia. The press has been restored in that
style. Its previous owner, John Lant, incorrectly believed it to be the
press used by William Bradford in New York in 1690.
Purchased from John A. Lant, 1901.
Citations Philip Gaskell, “A Census of Wooden Presses,” in Journal of the Printing Historical Society 6, 1970 (census no. 6, p.27); Elizabeth Harris, “The American Common Press,” pp. 42-52, in Journal of the Printing Historical Society no. 8, 1978; Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
Date made
1815
date made
ca 1815
maker
unknown
ID Number
GA.09287
accession number
1900.36751
catalog number
GA*09287
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a small self-inking card press which was granted patent number 17405. A traveling frame carried the inking and impression rollers across the fixed type bed and ink plate.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a small self-inking card press which was granted patent number 17405. A traveling frame carried the inking and impression rollers across the fixed type bed and ink plate.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1857
patent date
1857-05-26
maker
Learned, S. D.
ID Number
GA.89797.017405
accession number
089797
patent number
017405
catalog number
GA*89797.017405
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a sheet perfecting flatbed cylinder press which was granted patent number 103894. The invention had two vertical type beds, one at each end of the press.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a sheet perfecting flatbed cylinder press which was granted patent number 103894. The invention had two vertical type beds, one at each end of the press. A sheet of paper was fed to the first cylinder and printed at the first type form traveling upwards. Next the sheet was passed to the second cylinder and printed on the other side at the other form traveling downwards. Finally, it was deposited under the press.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1870
patent date
1870-06-07
maker
Kerr, William A.
ID Number
GA.89797.103894
accession number
89797
patent number
103894
catalog number
GA*89797.103894
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a rotary printing press; it was granted patent number 9987. The press had several impression cylinders and inking stations arranged around a large type cylinder.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a rotary printing press; it was granted patent number 9987. The press had several impression cylinders and inking stations arranged around a large type cylinder. A web of paper was moistened and folded concertina-fashion for feeding. It was printed at the first series of impression cylinders and refolded. Then it was turned, and printed on the other side at the next series. Finally, it was cut into sheets. According to Stephen D. Tucker’s History of R. Hoe & Company, this patent was bought by R. Hoe & Co., probably more to keep it out of the market than with a mind to its development.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1853
patent date
1853-09-06
patentee
Beaumont, Victor
ID Number
GA.89797.009987
patent number
009987
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.009987
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a scraper press with stationary stone and moving scraper; the invention was granted patent number 43796.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a scraper press with stationary stone and moving scraper; the invention was granted patent number 43796.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
Patent Date August 9, 1864
date made
ca 1864
patent date
1864-08-09
maker
Reynolds, Edwin
ID Number
GA.89797.043796
accession number
89797
patent number
043796
catalog number
GA*89797.043796
This patent model demonstrates an invention for improvements to the inking, dampening, and tympan apparatus in a scraper machine. The invention was granted patent number 37727.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for improvements to the inking, dampening, and tympan apparatus in a scraper machine. The invention was granted patent number 37727.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1863
date made
ca 1863
patent date
1863-02-17
maker
Reynolds, George H.
ID Number
GA.89797.037727
accession number
89797
patent number
037727
This one-twentieth scale model of the Harris-Seybold 4-color sheet-fed offset press dates from about 1950.
Description (Brief)
This one-twentieth scale model of the Harris-Seybold 4-color sheet-fed offset press dates from about 1950. The press has a height of 7.5 inches a length of 32.5 inches and a width of 9.5 inches.
Donated by Lithographers National Association, 1953.
Citation: Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
circa 1950
date made
ca 1950
maker
Harris-Seybold Company
ID Number
GA.20396-a
accession number
1953.198538
catalog number
20396-a
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a press with a stationary bed which was granted patent number 15740. The cylinder followed an endless rack that lifted it for the return trip over the bed.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a press with a stationary bed which was granted patent number 15740. The cylinder followed an endless rack that lifted it for the return trip over the bed. This patent covered the Newbury Country Press, a small hand-powered printing machine that was popular with country newspaper shops in the 1860s.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1856
patent date
1856-09-16
maker
Newbury, Alonzo
Newbury, Boliver
ID Number
GA.89797.015740
accession number
089797
patent number
015740
catalog number
GA*89797.015740
This old-style platen jobber was made by George P. Gordon of New York in about 1865. Its chase is missing; its platen measures 7.5 inches by 13.5 inches.Donated by Franklin L.
Description (Brief)
This old-style platen jobber was made by George P. Gordon of New York in about 1865. Its chase is missing; its platen measures 7.5 inches by 13.5 inches.
Donated by Franklin L. Thatcher, 1963
Citation: Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
circa 1865
date made
ca 1865
maker
Gordon, George P.
ID Number
GA.21747
accession number
253742
catalog number
21747
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a card printing and numbering machine which was granted patent number 21418. The patent describes a little press with a numbering wheel, designed primarily for the production of railroad tickets.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a card printing and numbering machine which was granted patent number 21418. The patent describes a little press with a numbering wheel, designed primarily for the production of railroad tickets. Hill was a pioneer in numbering machines. His city, Buffalo, N.Y., became a center of the rail ticket business.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1858
patent date
1858-09-07
maker
Hill, George J.
ID Number
GA.89797.021418
accession number
089797
patent number
021418
catalog number
GA*89797.021418
This English common press dates from about 1720. It includes English box hose and guide boards, but is missing its gallows, tympan, frisket, and bar catch. The press has a height of 78 inches, a width, at cheeks, of 30.5 inches, and a length of 57 inches.
Description (Brief)
This English common press dates from about 1720. It includes English box hose and guide boards, but is missing its gallows, tympan, frisket, and bar catch. The press has a height of 78 inches, a width, at cheeks, of 30.5 inches, and a length of 57 inches. The platen measures 12 inches by 18.5 inches.
The press was said to have been used by Benjamin Franklin in John Watts's printing shop in London in 1726. (Another common press, also said to have been used in that shop, is among the holding of the Science Museum in London.) In 1841 the 'Franklin' press was acquired by an American, John B. Murray, who shipped it to the United States. The press was put up for public auction, and exhibited at the Patent Office, the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, and the Smithsonian's U.S. National Museum before being sold to the Smithsonian in 1901.
The 'Franklin' press shows evidence of use, numerous small changes, and fixes made over the years, but is, overall, remarkably complete. It carries two brass labels. The larger, dated June 1833, describes Franklin's re-visit to the Watts shop in 1768, when he ordered a gallon of porter for the printers and toasted his old press. The second, dated November 1841, records the presentation of the press to John Murrray by Harrild & Sons of London.
The 1833 plaque reads: "Dr. Franklin's remarks relative to this press made when he came to England as agent of the Massachusetts in the year 1768. The Dr. at this time visited the printing office of Mr. Watts of Wild Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, & going up to this particular press (afterwards in the possession of Messrs Cox & Son of Great Queen Street of whome it was purchased.). This address'd the men who were working at it. "Come my friends we will drink together: it is now forty years since I worked like you at this press, as a journeyman printer. The Dr. then sent for a gallon porter & he drank with them. "Success to printing." From the above it will appear that it is 108 years since Dr. Franklin worked at this identical press. June 1833"
Purchased from Felicia and Frank Tucker, 1901. Felicia and Frank Tucker were John Murray's widow and new husband.
Citations: Philip Gaskell, "A Census of Wooden Presses," in Journal of the Printing Historical Society 6, 1970 (census no. 4, p. 26; Elizabeth Harris and Clinton Sisson, The Common Press (Godine, Boston, 1978; Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
Description
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790), American scientist, diplomat, and one of the authors of the Declaration of Independence, identified himself as a printer. He wrote his own epitaph long before he died: "The Body of BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Printer. Like the Covering of an old Book, Its contents torn out and stript of its Lettering and Gilding, Lies here, Food for Worms. But the Work shall not be lost, It will (as he believ'd) appear once more In a new and more beautiful Edition Corrected and amended By the Author."
Franklin apprenticed in the Boston printing shop of his brother James from the age of twelve, but ran away at seventeen to Philadelphia. In 1724 he was sent to London where he worked as a printer in the firm of John Watts (where this press is said to have been used) before returning to Philadelphia in 1726. By 1730 he had set up his own printing business and published a newspaper, which gave him a forum for political expression. His political activities led to his involvement in the movement to free the Colonies from British rule. He spent the years 1757–1762 and 1764–1775 in England, returning to Philadelphia to participate in the First Continental Congress. From 1776–1785 he served in France, securing vital French assistance for the American revolutionary effort.
The Franklin press in the Museum's collection is an English common press made early in the eighteenth century. It was on exhibition in the U.S. National Museum beginning in the 1880s, and it was shown in the Hall of Printing and Graphic Arts in this museum from 1964 to 2003. It is missing some of its parts, such as its gallows, tympan, and frisket, so it cannot be operated. A full-sized working replica of the press was made in 1984 for the Museum's exhibition, Life in America–After the Revolution.
The story of how this press came to be associated with Franklin is rather complicated. While in England in 1768, Franklin is said to have visited the Watts firm and saluted the press in the shop where he had worked some 25 years before. A plaque added to the press in 1833 reads:
"Dr. Franklin's Remarks relative to this Press, made when he came to England as agent of Massachusetts, in the year 1768. The Doctor at this time visited the printing office of Mr. Watts, of Wild Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, and going up to this particular press (afterwards in the possession of Messrs. Cox & Son, of Great Queen Street, of whom it was purchased) thus addressed the men who were working at it. 'Come my friends, we will drink together. It is now forty years since I worked like you, at this press, as a journeyman printer.' The Doctor then sent out for a gallon of porter, and he drank with them- "Success to Printing"
Franklin's visit was recalled by elderly printers who testified to the identity of the press three-quarters of a century later. In 1841 the press was presented as "the Franklin press" to American banker John B. Murray, who received it for the express purpose of exhibiting it to attract contributions for the London Printers' Pension Society. He shipped it to the United States to be displayed as a relic associated with Franklin. It was shown at the Patent Office, the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, and the Smithsonian's U.S. National Museum before being sold to the Smithsonian by Murray's widow in 1901.
Date made
ca 1720
referenced
Franklin, Benjamin
Franklin, James
Watts, John
Murray, John M.
maker
unknown
ID Number
GA.14237
accession number
1901.38701
catalog number
GA*14237
This bench-top Albion No. 1930 was made by Hopkinson and Cope of London in 1845. Its wooden stand is original. The press has a height of 38 inches a width, at the cheeks, of 19 inches and a length of 38 inches.
Description (Brief)
This bench-top Albion No. 1930 was made by Hopkinson and Cope of London in 1845. Its wooden stand is original. The press has a height of 38 inches a width, at the cheeks, of 19 inches and a length of 38 inches. The stand measures 27 inches high and 33.5 inches long; the platen measures 9.5 inches by 15 inches. The press is marked on the frame, bar, and brass sleeve with “Hopkinson & Cope, Finsbury London,” “No. 1930 1845,” and “Patent No 2289.” It is stamped in various places “Patent,” with a crown.
The Albion was an English press invented by Richard Whittaker Cope of London. The date of the invention is not known, but the first record of the press dates from 1822, when some Albions were imported into France. The Albion had a different form of toggle levers from American presses, and a large spring on top of the press for the return of the platen. Presumably the name “Albion”—a poetic name describing the island of Great Britain—was chosen in response to the Columbian, which had recently arrived from America. The Albion was advertised as being lighter and less bulky than rival, English iron presses, such as the Stanhope. It had ample power, particularly in the smaller sizes, and became the most popular hand press in Great Britain, as the Washington came to be in the United States.
At Richard Cope’s death, in about 1830, his company was taken over
by John Hopkinson working under J. & J. Barrett, trustees of Cope’s estate. For ten years all three names were cast into the press, but after 1840 the style became simply “Hopkinson & Cope.” Hopkinson introduced some improvements, notably the modification of the toggle form and the addition of the word “Patent” (a claim apparently without foundation). By mid-century there were several other makers using Hopkinson’s improved toggles. Albions were made in Great Britain continuously until as late as 1940.
Albions were not regularly imported into the United States until the twentieth century, when they were brought in by collectors.
Donated by Jack Murphy, 1991.
Citation: Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
Date made
1845
maker
Hopkinson, John
unknown
Hopkinson, John
ID Number
1991.0833.01
catalog number
1991.0833.01
accession number
1991.0833
catalog number
1991.0833.01
This patent model demonstrates an invention for the Duplex Printing Machine which consisted of two printing machines working in unison to produce two perfected sheets at a time, and then fold and deliver them as one product.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for the Duplex Printing Machine which consisted of two printing machines working in unison to produce two perfected sheets at a time, and then fold and deliver them as one product. This patent was granted number 195115; it was purchased by and assigned to R. Hoe & Co.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1877
patent date
1877-09-11
patentee
Ford, Edward L.
ID Number
GA.89797.195115
patent number
195115
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.195115
This self-inking, bench-top, lever press was is known as a Young America, Circular Press. It was manufactured after 1870 until about 1895 by Joseph Watson, of the Young American Company, in New York.
Description (Brief)
This self-inking, bench-top, lever press was is known as a Young America, Circular Press. It was manufactured after 1870 until about 1895 by Joseph Watson, of the Young American Company, in New York. The press has a height of ?
Like other Young Americans described here separately this press style came in different sizes, each size denoted by a different name. The 4 inch by 6 inch size platen press was called the Circular.
Donated by Stan Harris, 2001.
Citation: Elizabeth Harris, "Personal Impressions, The Small Printing Press in Nineteenth-Century America, 2004.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1880
date made
after 1870
maker
Watson, Joseph
ID Number
2001.0274.02
catalog number
2001.0274.02
accession number
2001.0274
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a hand-lever printing press which was granted patent number 10717. The press is a self-inking hand press with a fixed bed. The paper was carried into position by a double frisket carriage with inking rollers.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a hand-lever printing press which was granted patent number 10717. The press is a self-inking hand press with a fixed bed. The paper was carried into position by a double frisket carriage with inking rollers. The carriage was propelled by a crank handle turned continuously in one direction.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1854
patent date
1854-03-28
maker
Underhill, Henry
ID Number
GA.89797.010717
accession number
089797
patent number
010717
catalog number
GA*89797.010717
This iron tabletop card press was probably made by R. Hoe & Company of New York after 1848.
Description (Brief)
This iron tabletop card press was probably made by R. Hoe & Company of New York after 1848. The press has a height of 17 inches a width of 24 inches and a length of 29 inches; its chase measures 5 inches by 6.5 inches.
William Smith patented this press for card and label printing in 1842. The patent rights were acquired by the Hoe Company in 1848. In original form the press was self-inking, and had an automatic card drop.
The early history of this specimen is unknown. It came to the Museum under the name “Star card press.”
Purchased from John A. Lant, 1901.
Citation: Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1848
maker
R. Hoe & Company
ID Number
GA.09289
accession number
36751
catalog number
9289
This table-top wooden press was made by Adam Ramage of Philadelphia in about 1840. Its tympan is missing and frisket includes a modern table.
Description (Brief)
This table-top wooden press was made by Adam Ramage of Philadelphia in about 1840. Its tympan is missing and frisket includes a modern table. The press is stamped on the original brass label: “A RAMAGE / PATENT / NO 189.” Its height (without table) measures 38 inches, its width, at cheeks, 20.5 inches, and its length 37 inches. The platen measures 12.5 inches by 16.5 inches.
Adam Ramage built wooden presses in three sizes: a full-size common press, an intermediate free-standing press which he called his “screw press,” and the smallest, the “foolscap,” named for the size of sheet (13.5 x 8.5 inches) that it would print. Foolscap presses, sturdier than the screw presses, were sold in good numbers for about $65. After Ramage’s death in 1850, foolscap presses were made for some years by his successor, Frederick Bronstrup.
Donated by Skip Barnhart, 1986.
Citation: Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
circa 1840
date made
ca 1840
maker
Ramage, Adam
ID Number
1986.0890.01
accession number
1986.0890
catalog number
1986.0890.01
This clamshell jobber was made by the B. O. Woods Company before 1887. It includes a brazed repair on its roller guide tracks.
Description (Brief)
This clamshell jobber was made by the B. O. Woods Company before 1887. It includes a brazed repair on its roller guide tracks. The press chase measures 6.5 inches by 10.5 inches.
The Novelty—usually a table-top lever press—was invented by Benjamin Woods and William Tuttle, Boston pharmacists, for their own use in the shop. In 1867 the partners patented the press, and introduced it under the slogan, “Be your own printer.” The Novelty was manufactured in four sizes with hand or foot levers, and many thousands were sold before the company was bought out by William Kelsey in 1887. This press is one of the larger and later models with a flywheel and rotary action.
The collection also include seven “Novelty Type Cases” (but no cabinet) that were made and sold by Woods to go with his presses. These diminutive cases measure 13 by 16 inches, and have 81 equal-sized boxes. Each box has a rounded bottom to make it easier to take out type.
Donated by John F. Craemer, 1985.
Citation: Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
before 1887
maker
B.O. Woods Company
ID Number
1985.0753.01
accession number
1985.0753
catalog number
1985.0753.01
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a rotary sheet perfecting press which was granted patent number 15437. Type forms were bedded on the two flat surfaces on opposite sides of the type cylinder.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a rotary sheet perfecting press which was granted patent number 15437. Type forms were bedded on the two flat surfaces on opposite sides of the type cylinder.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1856
patent date
1856-07-29
maker
Parkes, Thomas
Parkes, Alfred
ID Number
GA.89797.015437
patent number
015437
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.015437
This bench-top roller proof press (no stand) was made about 1900. The press has a width of 10.5 inches and a length of 30 inches; its cylinder diameter is 9 inches; its bed measures 10 inches by 31 inches.
Description (Brief)
This bench-top roller proof press (no stand) was made about 1900. The press has a width of 10.5 inches and a length of 30 inches; its cylinder diameter is 9 inches; its bed measures 10 inches by 31 inches. It sports cast letters reading “Challenge,” for the Challenge Machinery Company, on the end of the bed.
Donated by Edward Alfriend, 1986.
Citation: Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
maker
Challenge Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1986.0975.081
accession number
1986.0975
catalog number
1986.0975.081
This sheet-fed rotary, offset press was built in 1903 by Ira Rubel of Nutley, New Jersey. Its cylinder measures 36 inches in diameter.The Rubel offset press was the earliest of several rotary, offset machines produced in the first decade of the twentieth century.
Description (Brief)
This sheet-fed rotary, offset press was built in 1903 by Ira Rubel of Nutley, New Jersey. Its cylinder measures 36 inches in diameter.
The Rubel offset press was the earliest of several rotary, offset machines produced in the first decade of the twentieth century. It was invented in 1903 by Ira Washington Rubel, the owner of a small paper mill and lithographic shop in Nutley, New Jersey. No businessman himself, Rubel formed a partnership early in 1906 with a Chicago lithographer, Alex Sherwood, setting up the Sherbel Syndicate as a monopoly to distribute the press. Sherbel presses were built for the syndicate by the Potter Printing Press Company of Plainfield, New Jersey. The syndicate failed later that year, and the press was redesigned and sold as the Potter offset press, becoming the chief rival to the Harris offset press. Eventually, in 1926, the Potter and Harris companies were consolidated. Rubel himself went to England to promote his machine in 1907 and died there in 1908, at the age of 48.
This model was operated in Rubel’s plant in New York in 1904. In 1905 it was purchased by the Union Lithographic Company of San Francisco for $5,500 and shipped to California. It waited out the San Francisco earthquake and fire on a wharf in Oakland, and was put to work in 1907. The maximum speed of the press boasted about 2500 sheets per hour; the sheet size was 28 inches by 34 inches.
Donated by H. S. Crocker Co., Inc., 1969.
Citations: Western Printer & Lithographer, August 1952; “With a Chip on my Shoulder,” an unpublished talk by H. A. Porter given to the Detroit Litho Club, 14 December 1950; Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
Date made
1903
date made
ca 1903
maker
Rubel, Ira W.
ID Number
GA.23002
accession number
286378
catalog number
GA*23002
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a self-inking press which was granted number 3917. The press has a vertical bed and platen, and sheet grippers traveling on an endless chain. The model is damaged.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a self-inking press which was granted number 3917. The press has a vertical bed and platen, and sheet grippers traveling on an endless chain. The model is damaged.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1845
patent date
1845-02-20
maker
Kneeland, J. C.
ID Number
GA.89797.003917
accession number
089797
patent number
003917
catalog number
GA*89797.003917
This cast-iron rotary press for rubber type was made by the Cincinnati Time Recorder Company in the early twentieth century. It is marked in its casting “Pat’d Oct.
Description (Brief)
This cast-iron rotary press for rubber type was made by the Cincinnati Time Recorder Company in the early twentieth century. It is marked in its casting “Pat’d Oct. 11 1904." The press has a height of 8.5 inches high by 8.5 inches wide and 16 inches long.
The Automatic Rotary Printer took short rubber-stamp type, which was fitted in metal slots arranged around the press cylinder. The type was inked with stamp-pad ink, and printed on a roll of paper. The press was made with a dual purpose—office use, and children’s play. With the young printers, at least, it was popular for half a century.
Donated by Robert Vogel, 1983.
Citation: Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
early 20th century
maker
Cincinnati Time Recorder Co.
ID Number
1983.0841.01
catalog number
1983.0841.01
accession number
1983.0841

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.