French common press, Genard

Description (Brief):

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.

Description (Brief)

The press made its appearance at a time when the boldest of

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the French press-makers led the world in trying to break out of

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the wooden-press convention. It was built in Paris by Genard (whose first name is unknown), a mechanic working for Philippe-

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Denis Pierres. Pierres was printer to the king, and usually is given

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credit for the invention of the press. Genard may have stolen the

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idea, but he was a good marketer and his presses were exported

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to England under the name “Apollo.” This is the only known

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surviving Genard press (a full-size Anisson press—a rival

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“improved” wooden press—is housed at the Imprimerie Nationale in

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Paris).

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The press is bench-sized with a relatively massive wooden frame,

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an iron screw, and a series of levers and counterweights to lighten

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the pressman’s work and give a one-pull impression. To lower

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the platen, the long hand lever is pushed down, instead of being

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pulled horizontally in the usual way. Thus torsion is eliminated,

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along with the need to brace the press in its place. A combination

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of coil springs, counterweight and a large leaf spring return the

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impression assembly and levers to their starting point.

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The press carries an original brass tag recording its presentation

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to the French Academy in 1787:

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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.

Description (Brief)

The press was in the collection of André Jammes (France), and

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then Colin Franklin (England), from whom it was acquired for

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the Museum.

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Purchased in 1992

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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.

Date Made: 1786

Maker: Genard

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: France: Île-de-France, Paris

See more items in: Work and Industry: Graphic Arts, Communications, Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1992.0160.01Accession Number: 1992.0160Catalog Number: 1992.0160.01

Object Name: Press, printing

Physical Description: wood (overall material)brass (overall material)iron (overall material)Measurements: overall: 25 in x 29 in x 12 in; 63.5 cm x 73.66 cm x 30.48 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-9d31-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_882265

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