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English common press

American History Museum

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Object Details

maker

unknown

Description

This English common press was made in about 1750. It includes an English box hose and an iron folding candle holder mounted on its off-side cheek; it does not include guide boards. The press has a height of 77 inches a width, at cheeks, of 31 inches and a length of 62 inches; its platen measures 13 inches by 18 inches.
The press was exhibited in the New York Times museum until about 1980, when the museum was dismantled. Its style, particularly its lack of guide boards, suggests a later date than that of the 'Franklin' press. The candle holder is unusual, although not unique among common presses.
Donated by the New York Times in 1983.
Citations: Philip Gaskell, "A Census of Wooden Presses," in Journal of the Printing Historical Society 6, 1970, p. 27; Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.

Location

Currently not on view

Date made

c. 1750-1800

date made

between 1750 and 1800
ca 1750
ca 1750-1800

ID Number

1987.0637.01

catalog number

1987.0637.01

accession number

1987.0637

Object Name

Press, printing

Physical Description

wood (overall material)
iron (overall material)
steel (overall material)
brass (overall material)

Measurements

overall: 77 in x 31 in x 62 in; 195.58 cm x 78.74 cm x 157.48 cm
overall: 60 in x 55 in x 89 in; 152.4 cm x 139.7 cm x 226.06 cm

place made

United Kingdom

See more items in

Work and Industry: Graphic Arts
Communications
Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Metadata Usage

CC0

Link to Original Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-5edd-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record ID

nmah_1197629

Discover More

Small, cylindrical handheld press with a wooden handle.

Wooden Hand Presses

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