Object Details
maker
Colt’s Armory
Description
The platen jobber, with parallel impression mechanism, was made by the Colts Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company in Hartford, in about 1886. It includes some broken parts. Its chase measures 7 inches by 11 inches.
The Colts press derives from a patent awarded to Merritt Gally in 1869 for a motion that gave the platen a true parallel approach to the bed. Gally’s press, the original Universal, was produced for him by John Thomson at the Colts Armory plant in Hartford, Connecticut. In about 1885 Gally and Thomson separated. Thomson began producing his own version of the press, citing his patent of 1886 and naming his press the Colts Armory press.
This specimen, with open sides, was one of Thomson’s early models. Later and larger presses included heavier frames with continuous sides. The Colts Armory-style presses were well designed and built, and had a reputation for excellence.
Purchased in 1985.
Citation: Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
circa 1886
date made
ca 1886
ID Number
1985.0559.03
accession number
1985.0559
catalog number
1985.0559.03
1985.0559.03
Object Name
Press, Printing
printing press
Other Terms
Press, Printing; Platen Jobber
Physical Description
metal (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 42 1/4 in x 35 in x 34 3/4 in; 107.315 cm x 88.9 cm x 88.265 cm
place made
United States: Connecticut, Hartford
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_826464