This patent model demonstrates an invention for an inking apparatus for color printing; the invention was granted patent number 79910. The press combines two forms on the bed of a press, one to be printed in a single color, and the other in bands of several colors. Double sheets were printed, rotated, and printed again.
This tinted lithograph of “Wah-Ha-Ta-Gas or Spanish Peaks from Near Cuchara Aug 6th" was produced by A. Hoen & Company (fl. 1848-1943), Baltimore, after a sketch by John Mix Stanley (1814-1872) and an original sketch by expedition artist R. H. Kern (1821-1853). It was printed as a plate in Volume II following page 34, in the "Report of Explorations for a Route for the Pacific Railroad, by Captain J. W. Gunnison (1812-1853), Topographical Engineers, Near the 38th and 39th Parallels of North Latitude, from the Mouth of the Kansas River, Missouri to the Sevier Lake in the Great Basin" by Lieutenant E. G. Beckwith (1818-1881), Third Artillery.
The volume was printed as part of the "Reports of Explorations and Surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean" in 1855 by A. P. O. Nicholson (1808-1876) of Washington, D.C.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a method of making multicolor prints on paper from special compound blocks of pigmented resin; the invention was granted patent number 123266. A series of steam-heated impression rollers alternating with cold rollers melted and then fixed the resin onto the paper. The press bed rested on wedges, so the resin block could be raised as its surface was used up.
Copper plate engraved in 1832 by Robert Havell Jr. for John James Audubon's publication, the Birds of America, published in Britain between 1827 and 1838 as a series of large folio engravings. The museum's Graphic Arts Collection includes seven of the original copper plates.
The Birds of America was published in several formats. The first large folio edition was intended for wealthy patrons or institutions. Later editions, produced in the U.S. for a more general audience, included text and smaller, less costly lithographic illustrations.
Audubon introduced new species and new artistic forms. His dramatic images of birds, pictured life-size in animated poses with realistic backgrounds, represented a departure from the conventions of natural history illustration. His artistic ingenuity, as reproduced in engravings and lithographs, won over new audiences for the subject of nature study.
This tinted lithograph of “Mount Jefferson and Black Butte from Samp S" was produced by after an original sketch by John J. Young (1830-1879). It was printed as Plate X in Volume VI following page 90, in the General Report, Part I, of the "Report of Lieutenant Henry L. Abbot (1831-1927), Corps of Topographical Engineers, Upon Explorations for a Railroad Route from the Sacramento Valley to the Columbia River made by Lieutenant R. S. Williamson (1825-1882), Corps of Topographical Engineers assisted by Lieutenant Henry L. Abbot, Corps of Topographical Engineers," 1855.
The volume was printed as part of the "Reports of Explorations and Surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean" in 1855 by A. P. O. Nicholson (1808-1876) of Washington, D.C.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an apparatus for printing bank notes and drafts; the invention was granted patent number 33526.
Security printing demanded that all prints be identical, but there were difficulties in achieving that goal by the preferred intaglio process. Dampened paper changed its dimension and was further distorted by the rolling press; while dry paper would not take an impression at a rolling press without immense pressure, which stretched the plate and image. Printing in several colors (a protection against photographic reproduction) compounded the distortions, making perfect registration between the colors impossible. This patent sought to avoid the problems by means of an intaglio press built along the lines of a coining press. It printed on dry paper, using a combination of screw and lever pressure.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an engraving pantograph, particularly intended for cutting letters from a pattern into stone; the invention was granted patent number 27827. The graver was provided with a rotating and/or a pecking motion.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a portable and adjustable copy holder on which the reader could tilt the manuscript backwards or spin it sideways, "with reference to light, etc., to suit himself." The invention was granted patent number 155202. Nutting (1803-1887) was one of the first generation of American lithographers, working at the profession as early as 1826. Later in his life he was also an art teacher, and published a series of art teaching manuals.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an electrotype shell and base which was granted patent model 313812. The patent describes a method of fastening thin electrotype shells to cast metal bases by bending the edges of the shell into grooves on the base. The invention was said to be particularly appropriate for newspapers, which might otherwise depend on heavy stereotype plates shipped over long distances. The patent was assigned to the American Press Association.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for improvements in the smooth movement of multicolor presses. The invention was granted patent number 228517.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine with a pair of divided rolls, or roll segments, to shape book backs. The invention was granted patent number 25548. G.H. Sanborn (d. 1881) established his reputation and his company with his rounding machine and went on to develop and sell a full line of equipment for bookbinders.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an apparatus for feeding sheets or blanks into an envelope-making machine; the invention was granted patent number 39872.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a casting printers’ lead; it was granted patent number 155609. Molten lead was rolled out to thickness between two flexible steel belts, then cut into strips, trimmed, and planed smooth.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a self-inking hand-cranked cylinder press which was intended to replace the common iron lever press. The patent was granted patent number 25008.
George Gordon (1810-1878) started out as an actor but soon took up the printing trade in New York City. From 1851 he was responsible for a succession of jobbing presses--the Yankee, the Turnover, the Firefly, this cylinder press, and, finally, the Franklin jobber with which he established his name as well as his fortune. Degener was a Gordon employee in the 1850s, setting up in his own business in 1860. See also Degener's separate Patent 110018.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a piston-driven stencil-cutting pen which was granted patent number 216086. The piston was driven by a bellows powered in turn by a machine wheel. Josiah Gunning (1840-1910) graduated from medical school and spent the Civil War as a surgeon in the U.S. Navy. After his wife's death in 1869, he entered seminary and was ordained. His invention of a pulsating pen was considered remarkable enough to win him a bronze medal from the American Institute.
This tinted lithograph of “Western Slope of Main Ridge of Cascade Mountains from Near Camp M" was produced after an original sketch by John J. Young (1830-1879). It was printed as Plate I in Volume VI, Part II following page 41, in the "Report Upon the Geology of the Route" by J. S. Newberry (1822-1892) in "Report of Lieutenant Henry L. Abbot (1831-1927), Corps of Topographical Engineers, Upon Explorations for a Railroad Route from the Sacramento Valley to the Columbia River made by Lieutenant R. S. Williamson (1825-1882), Corps of Topographical Engineers assisted by Lieutenant Henry L. Abbot, Corps of Topographical Engineers," 1855.
The volume was printed as part of the "Reports of Explorations and Surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean" in 1855 by A. P. O. Nicholson (1808-1876) of Washington, D.C.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a bed that could be adjusted for stones that were thicker at one end than the other; the invention was granted patent number 53309.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an apparatus to receive and stack sheets as they came from a press, or cut and pile printed sheets from a web. The invention was granted patent number 25068.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a rocking swing for children or invalids, unrelated to printing; the invention was granted patent number 139924.
This model may have entered the Graphic Arts Collection because of confusion over the word "exercising," which is also used for the softening of inking leather.