Manufactured in Boston about 1875, this peculiar press of George W. Prouty (who also invented the Star), later manufactured by Kelsey) has a curved ratcheting ink plate for ink distribution.
Table-top Prouty
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Prouty
George W. Prouty manufactured his presses in Boston between 1878 and 1926.
Philadelphia
The Philadelphia was patented in 1833 by Adam Ramage, of Philadelphia. Like Ramage’s earlier wooden presses (see Ramage and Ramage Foolscap), the Philadelphia was “sternly utilitarian in looks,” as Elizabeth Harris writes. The earliest Philadelphia presses had a simple elbow toggle lever, similar to that of the Wells. (After 1842 Ramage changed the toggles to resemble those on the Washington). The press shown, 74 1/2″ long, was made after 1850 by Frederick Bronstrup, Ramage’s successor. The finial is missing from the top of the press.
Perfection
Briar Press
Perfection Self Inking No. 610
“The Perfection was made by the Wilkins Toy Company of Keene, N.H. around 1911. It was available with or without a small two- or three-drawer cabinet for type and supplies. Despite its name, the Perfection probably was not able to produce the highest-quality results, due to its small size (see lever presses). Perfection Self-Inking presses were available in the following chase sizes:
No. 605 (2-drawer), 1 5/8″” x 2 3/4″”
No. 610 (2-drawer, shown), 2″” x 3 1/8″”
No. 615 (3-drawer), 2 1/4″” x 3 3/8″”
No. 618 (3-drawer, 2 roller), 2 1/2″” x 4″”
No. 620 (3-drawer, 1 roller), 2 1/2″” x 4″””
Perfected Prouty
This Perfected Prouty, invented by George W. Prouty, was manufactured by the Boston Printing Press M’F’G’ Co. of Boston, Massachusetts. The patent dates on this press are from April 1886 to August 1888.
Pearl Stamp
Called “The Pearl,” this stamp most likely does not have any relation to the popular presses of the same name made by William Golding (see Pearl OS No.1). This small stamp operates in much the same way as does a waffle iron, imprinting a honeycomb-pattern into a piece of paper. It may have been used on handwriting (such as a signature or dollar amount), for the purpose of making the writing difficult to alter after being stamped.
Pearl Improved No. 11
William Golding of Boston set up shop as a printer’s supply house in 1869 and soon graduated to the manufacture of seals, then small amateur presses, and finally full-sized jobbing presses. (More at Pearl OS No.1). The Pearl remains today one of the most popular presses for amateur letterpress printing. It was made in Oldstyle and Improved versions; pictured is the latter model, made in 1899, which features an impression throw-off lever that the Oldstyle lacks (see Pearl OS No.1). This Improved has been retrofitted with an electric motor. An attached counter (upper left, above ink disc) kept track of the pages printed by measuring printing cycles, and an ink fountain (below counter, above ink disc) supplied ink to the disc automatically. The Improved Pearl No.8 (not shown) was made with a 5×8 chase.
Peerless Gem Paper Cutter
This beautiful piece of machinery is a 23-inch hand-operated Peerless Gem paper cutter. It was made by the Peerless Printing Press Co. of Palmyra, New York. Excluding the handle, it is 38″ wide by 48″ deep. The height to the top of the handle is about 60″, and the cutter weighs about 750 pounds.
Paper Cutter
Cuts paper. Not to be used lightly.
Padding Press
This padding press is used to make pads of paper. A board is placed at either side of a stack of paper, which is placed into the padding press. The side-screw on the press is tightened to hold the sheets of paper firmly together. Padding glue is applied to one end of the stack and after it dries, the stack can be cut into the individual pads. The press is 12″ wide by 15″ long. It was made between 1878 and 1895 by Golding & Company of Boston, makers of the Pearl and the Official.