This French-modified, bench-top common press was made by Genard of Paris in 1786. It includes a maker’s brass label, and includes a brass tympan frame that is not original. The press has a height of 27 inches, a width, at cheeks, of 11 inches, and a length of 24 inches (all excluding the lever). Its platen measures 7.75 inches by 5.5 inches: its bed measures 7 inches by 9.5 inches.
The press made its appearance at a time when the boldest of
the French press-makers led the world in trying to break out of
the wooden-press convention. It was built in Paris by Genard (whose first name is unknown), a mechanic working for Philippe-
Denis Pierres. Pierres was printer to the king, and usually is given
credit for the invention of the press. Genard may have stolen the
idea, but he was a good marketer and his presses were exported
to England under the name “Apollo.” This is the only known
surviving Genard press (a full-size Anisson press—a rival
“improved” wooden press—is housed at the Imprimerie Nationale in
Paris).
The press is bench-sized with a relatively massive wooden frame,
an iron screw, and a series of levers and counterweights to lighten
the pressman’s work and give a one-pull impression. To lower
the platen, the long hand lever is pushed down, instead of being
pulled horizontally in the usual way. Thus torsion is eliminated,
along with the need to brace the press in its place. A combination
of coil springs, counterweight and a large leaf spring return the
impression assembly and levers to their starting point.
The press carries an original brass tag recording its presentation
to the French Academy in 1787:
Fait par Genard Serrurier Machiniste Seul Invanteur des Presses a Lévier a un Coup et sans Etansson, et Présenteé à Mrs de Laccadèmie en 1787.
The press was in the collection of André Jammes (France), and
then Colin Franklin (England), from whom it was acquired for
the Museum.
Purchased in 1992
Citation: Philip Gaskell, "A Census of Wooden Presses," in Journal of the Printing Historical Society 6, 1970 (census no. F2*, p. 10); James Moran, Printing Presses, 1973, p.43; Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
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