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).
MoreAuthor: Paul Moxon, Moderator
How do you party?
I’m writing an article for the American Printing History Association Newsletter about the Vandercook centenary. The focus is on the various celebrations such as our Vandercook Centenary Print Exchange, the recently published Vandercook Book (currently on exhibit around the U.S.) and a series of panel discussions that were held at the Center for Book Arts […]
MoreVandercook & Company ca. 1890
This image is for a billhead for a wood and photoengraving company partnership between H.R. Vandercook and F.N. Tucker in Chicago. H.R. Vandercook and R.O. Vandercook were first cousins. No mention of R.O. having worked there has been found in any trade journals or other documents. Below is a display ad from the […]
MoreVandercook Assembly Line, 1934
This photo shows the interior of the Vandercook & Sons plant at 900 N. Kilpatrick Avenue in Chicago. Similar shots are used in catalogs of this era. In the foreground and suspended at left are 219s, further back are what look to be four 22s, a No. 3 and a 17. The plant built by […]
MoreNew census added for Vandercook “gravity presses”
The moniker “gravity press” refers to models 0, 01, 03, and 099, a group of small tabletop presses that were the simplest ones Vandercook built. The Impression cylinder rolls on the bearers (with bearings riding on the under rails), but are not geared, and do not have paper grippers, an inking assembly nor a motor. […]
MoreThe Vandercook Book is selling fast
Roni Gross says that there are only 22 copies of the Vandercook Book left for purchase. The price is $650 plus $25 for insurance and postage. “When we get down to the last 10 it will go up to $750.” For more information please visit: www.ronigrossdesign.com/thevanderbook or contact Roni directly at rgd6@verizon.net
MoreShamless self promotion
In the spring, I will be teaching my Vandercook Maintenance workshop at three locations in the Northeastern U.S.: April 18-19 in Buffalo at Western New York Book Arts Collaborative April 25-26, in Manhattan at The Center for Book Arts May 2-3, in North Andover, MA at The Museum of Printing Currently, my itinerary allows time […]
More325 Cylinder rack trip/print positions
Vanderblog stalwart Eric Holub sent these photos of the cylinder trip rack on his 325G to help Kyle van Horn solve his alignment problem. The first pair shows the rack in trip (whole assembly, then close-up) and the second pair shows it in print (whole assembly, then close-up).
MoreHappy Vanderyear!
I want to wish everyone a productive year of printing for pleasure and/or profit. Here’s a photo of R.O. Vandercook at a trade show circa 1930 with his ever-present pipe and those spooky deep set eyes. (Courtesy of NA Graphics)
MoreNew User Interface
I just updated the blog software (WordPress 2.7), which promises faster page loads. After loggin in, registered members will see a new dashboard. Please contact me if you experience any difficulties.
MoreHappy Thanksgiving
Be thankful your press doesn’t look like this one. This is a 1955 No. 15 (SN 17885) seen earlier this month in Minneapolis. I don’t know the story behind it and didn’t have the time (or courage) to knock on the door. The only other 15 of this vintage I know of was salvaged by […]
MoreNot so terrible two
Today marks two years of Vanderblogging. Thank you everyone. On the run-up to the Vandercook centenary our forum has continued to enlarge the common store of proof press knowledge. Here are a few stats compared to a year ago: registered users have increased 171% (from 147 to 252), authored posts 190% (from 114 to 217), […]
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