Object Details
maker
unknown
Description
This American common press dates from about 1815. It was incomplete upon its arrival at the Smithsonian, but was restored in 1972. The press has a height of 75 inches a width, at cheeks, of 32 inches and a length of 67 inches; its platen measures 13.5 inches by 19.5 inches.
The press has its original cheeks, spindle, plank with coffin,
and bar, but is missing all of its other original parts, including the
nut and the hose, which often carried the maker’s name. The
surviving parts are typical of presses made in about 1815 by Adam Ramage of Philadelphia. The press has been restored in that
style. Its previous owner, John Lant, incorrectly believed it to be the
press used by William Bradford in New York in 1690.
Purchased from John A. Lant, 1901.
Citations Philip Gaskell, “A Census of Wooden Presses,” in Journal of the Printing Historical Society 6, 1970 (census no. 6, p.27); Elizabeth Harris, “The American Common Press,” pp. 42-52, in Journal of the Printing Historical Society no. 8, 1978; Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
Date made
1815
date made
ca 1815
ID Number
GA.09287
accession number
1900.36751
catalog number
GA*09287
Object Name
Press, printing
Other Terms
Press, Printing; Printing; Relief; Flatbed Platen
Physical Description
wood (overall material)
steel (overall material)
iron (overall material)
brass (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 75 in x 32 in x 67 in; 190.5 cm x 81.28 cm x 170.18 cm
place made
United States
See more items in
Work and Industry: Graphic Arts
Communications
Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1198453