I have a Potter proof press No. 2. The badge says A. F. Wanner & Co, not Hacker, so maybe an early one. I want to add it to the census but can’t be certain what the serial number is. Below the badge is a small number plate that says PE20. That seems like a strange serial number – what could the PE mean? There is also a number on the end of the gear track that says “No. 667″. Could this be the serial number?
Archive for the Potter Category
Potter Census - Posted August 4, 2009
I just posted a new census of Potters presses. I’m hoping to figure out the manufacturing history of these machines. Originally Manufactured by A.F. Wanner Co. Chicago, IL., later Potter presses have name plates that say made by Hacker Manufacturing. The 1935 ATF Catalog shows Challenge-Potter and Challenge-Poco presses (pages F-11, F-13).
Need Potter model ID - Posted June 19, 2009
I have a Challenge Potter proofing press. I’m not sure of when it was manufactured. Here’s a photo if anyone can possibly identify it.
Potter Proof Press for sale (NYC area) - Posted December 17, 2007
A friend of mine in Union City, NJ has a really nice Potter proof press for sale.
This press would need to be inked with a brayer so it would be most suited for block printing, proofing engravings, monoprinting or printing wood type posters. Asking price is $750. For what Kelseys are going for on eBay this is a steal. The seller is able to sit on it for as much as a month if you need time to remove it from his studio. Let me know if you’d be interested in checking it out or if you want more info.
For more items for sale see http://www.flickr.com/photos/thearm/sets/72157603485488390/.
Daniel Morris
The Arm Letterpress
Brooklyn, NY
Potter Proof Presses - Posted July 8, 2007
Howdy Vandercookers! I was directed here by Daniel Morris of The Arm Letterpress. I’ve found a Potter Proof press locally in NJ and am considering purchasing it. Most of my work is small-run and wood-type based, so having a printing bed larger than my 8×12 platen is a big plus. But, I know really nothing about these presses. I’ve worked a fair amount on some Vandercooks, so I get the basics of a cylinder press.
From the illustrations in the ‘23 ATF catalog, I believe the press for sale is a Potter #2. I’m basing this solely off the foot-lever design. Next time I’m at the guy’s shop, I’ll get some pictures and post them. It was pretty dark in there so I couldn’t really read the nameplate.
So, any info on that press would be helpful. How’s the impression? Is inking via brayer a real pain in the neck? What is this press worth, anyway?
Thanks for any help you guys can provide!
Update: I’ve added a few pictures of the press. It looks pretty good to me, but, like I said, I’m a novice. The cylinder just move, but it’s pretty stiff. Probably some oil/grease should fix that. The printer said he hadn’t used it in over 40 years.