OK jobber, Kelsey
OK jobber, Kelsey
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- Description (Brief)
- This platen jobber, with a clamshell mechanism, was made by W. A. Kelsey, about 1891. Its chase measures 9 inches by 13 inches.
- William Kelsey made his fame and fortune with small presses for amateurs and children, but for a few years he tried making platen jobbers too, and even a small flatbed cylinder press. His short-lived OK Jobber, introduced in 1887, sold for only $100. The press, criticized as being flimsy and lacking power, was not a great success. But like many lightweight clamshell jobbers of the time, it filled a need and did so inexpensively.
- This model was presented in 1891, with a modified frame and a wraparound feed table. The small flywheel (25 inches in diameter) is tied directly to the treadle by a rod. Despite its light frame, the press is heavy in operation.
- Purchased in 1985.
- Citation: Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- Press, Printing
- printing press
- Other Terms
- Press, Printing; Platen Jobber
- Date made
- circa 1891
- date made
- ca 1891
- maker
- Kelsey, William
- Kelsey, William
- Kelsey, William
- place made
- United States: Connecticut, Meriden
- Physical Description
- metal (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 9 in x 13 in; 22.86 cm x 33.02 cm
- overall: 47 in x 35 3/4 in x 33 1/2 in; 119.38 cm x 90.805 cm x 85.09 cm
- ID Number
- 1985.0559.02
- accession number
- 1985.0559
- catalog number
- 1985.0559.02
- 1985.0559.02
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: Graphic Arts
- Communications
- Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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