On Monday, we looked at our big platen presses. Today it’s time for a few of their smaller siblings. You can see them all at our Open Studio, part of Mo’Print, Saturday March 26, 10-4.
Curtis and Mitchell Columbian Press #1 at Cherry Creek High School’s Fine Arts Friday
Curtis & Mitchell Columbian No.1 tabletop platen ~1878
A workhorse for the Depot, this press with its portability and easygoing nature makes appearances at schools and fairs.
Heather P. on the roller press as a past Rocky Mountain Book & Paper Fair
Vandercook Office Proof Press
Another traveling favorite that even children can use, this provides an easy way to proof type and cuts. Although the Depot’s model is 20th century, proof presses have an important history. According to the Smithsonian, “The invention of portable tabletop printing presses at the time of the American Civil War allowed for better communication in the field. Portable presses were purchased by several Union and Confederate military units.”
Other roller style proof presses at the Depot include
Poco Proof press
Vandercook Truss press
Kelsey 3x5 printing a very tiny book
Kelsey Presses
The first presses of choice by young people way back in the day. Twenty one year old founder William Kelsey put up the first ad for his press in 1872, pushing it “For Boys..…Delightful, money making amusement.” He sold it for $5, figuring he could make the money back on selling type and other necessities.
In the Depot, we have
Kelsey 3x5
Kelsey 5x8, model P
Other small platens at the Depot:
Chandler and Price Pilot
The Pilot Press, manufactured for nearly 100 years by Chandler & Price and later re-produced by both Craftsmen Machinery Company of Boston and American Printing Equipment of New York, is said to be one of the most sought-after presses in the world today.
Sigwalt Non-Pareil (~Golding Official) Manufactured between 1900-20
The Nonpareil was actually seen by many as a patent infringement because it was basically a carbon copy of a Golding press at the time. Sigwalt later revised the press into the Ideal line and kept production until the late 1950's or so.
Etching press
A find by board member Marc Silberman, who grabbed it after it was being discarded. The model or similar is still available for sale online.
More presses to post later this week. Any questions, email us at englewooddepot@gmail.com or call 720-480-5358.
