I have a #4 that is in pretty good shape, but there are a number of spots on the press with worn or chipped paint. My feed table is particularly worn, and I am interested in touching it up both for appearance reasons, but aslo to protect the exposed metal form rust and what not.
I am wondering if anyone can reccommend a particular type of paint to use and even a color number that will be a good match to the Vandercook gray. I seem to recall Paul Moxon mentioning the use of paint to restore his number 4.
Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Archive for February 2007
Touch up Paint for the Vandercook? - Posted February 24, 2007
Letterpress wanted - Posted
Printmaking department of Towson University in Maryland is searching for a Vandercook SP 15 model for donation or sale. We have a small space we hope to set up a letterpress area in and are seeking information on where to find a used press. Please email lpeter2@towson.edu with any help. Thanks!
219 Oscillating Inking Roller - Posted February 21, 2007
Hi, I am looking into possibly buying a 219 Old Style press from a man in Oklahoma. It looks like (from his pictures) that it is missing the rubber inking rollers and an oscillating inking roller (metal?). I knew about the rubber rollers, and the core bracket is there for those, so I imagine I can get those from NA Graphics. Does anyone know if that oscillating roller is supposed to be there? And if it is, is it possible to find or buy a replacement? I couldn’t tell much about the inking parts from the photos on Vandercookpress.info.
Thanks for any help!
Ellen Knudson
Crooked Letter Press
Replacement feed board edge for Universal III - Posted February 18, 2007
I am preparing to have a few of these aluminum feed board edges made up by a machinist. Does anybody else need one? So far I think its Bryce Knudson and myself. And Fritz- did you need one for that press out back?
The ruled guide next to the slot in which the side guide travels appears to have been chemically etched into the part as does the center line marker. I can recreate these digitally to burn a negative for the etching process, but does NA Graphics by any chance still have a printout or a transparency in the files for this? It will definitely make my life easier…
Daniel Morris
The Arm Letterpress
Brooklyn, NY
Model 17 - Posted February 17, 2007
This ad from The Inland Printer (October 1918, courtesy of John Horn) shows a Vandercook model 17 Composing Room Cylinder press and a Roller Series press. Note that the company, founded in 1909, is still called Vandercook Press. It was incorporated as Vandercook & Sons later that same year. The street address is for the earliest known business location. (This image is also posted on the Time Line page.)
320G beginning to rust - Posted February 15, 2007
please, if you have a moment to offer some instruction.
I have a vandercook 320g sitting in a cold barn. I just noticed that it has begun to rust.
What can I do to save it?????
Madalyn
Roxbury, NY
Vandercook Census - Posted February 13, 2007
I have complied a census of existing Vandercook Presses (listed in the side bar under Pages as Press Census) it is independent of NA Graphics’ records, but thanks to Fritz Klinke’s coöperation will soon be augmented by them. Because NA’s records may not indicate the current owner or note manufacturing oddities, and do not include the stamped names of press inspectors, I encourage individuals with direct information to me contact me. —PM
Galley Height? - Posted February 9, 2007
I recently purchased a Vandercook #3. I have used Vandercooks in the past but it has been some time. I was struck by the phrase “galley height” and was wondering what it means exactly. The information that I have found on this press refers to a bed plate that comes with the press. I will be picking the press up next week and I am wondering if there is something specific I should be looking for. Also, and I must mention that I have emailed NA Graphics just now, I am looking for any and all information regarding my new press. Manuals, ads, etc. Thank you in advance.
Chris
English-made Hybrid - Posted February 4, 2007
Keith Stubley in Sheffield, UK contacted me about locating a manual for his Vandercook and sent me two interesting photos. The first shows a nameplate on the carriage with the model name left blank and a serial number that does not correspond to existing records. At bottom it states that the press was made in London. The second photo shows that this press has the carriage and inking system and cabinet of a 1950s style No.4, but the feed board of a 215. No serial number is stamped into the bed bearer as was usual for presses built in Chicago.
I suggested that a manual for a No.4 would be useful and shared our email exchange with Fritz who concurred:
I think this is a 215, though it has overtones of a Universal II that utilized the 219 castings evident in the feed table support and paper tables. Being built under license by an English firm knocks it out of the US Vandercook serial number scheme. And Paul may be entirely correct that this is a hybrid and the inking system is that of the #4. Vandercook was doing all sorts of redesign efforts from about 1955 through the early 60s to come up with a new press line that was more economical to build that the one in place since the late 1930s. I can furnish copies of the inking assembly prints that would be of the most use for this press.
No known Vandercook literature or ads show this press, and the licensing manufacturing and export records no longer exist. The article Story of a Visit to the New Vandercook Plant, notes only that “that some products are manufactured in England.”
A 1938 British Printer ad shows a 317 and gives the name and address for Price Service & Co. apparently a London sales agent. Soldan was an agent in the 1960s.
