Edward J. Nolan (1907-1983) was an RIT-trained engineer who founded both the Nolan Corporation, maker of Nolan proof presses, and later the United States Forge and Foundry Co., the maker of Reprex proof presses. The Nolan Corp., based in Rome, NY, made composing room and bindery equipment for the newspaper industry. They also built food […]
MoreMore TagAuthor: Paul Moxon, Moderator
The trouble with blogging
I was just told by one “trailing-edge” mac user that he is experiencing a problem viewing the blog since the latest blog software update (WordPress 2.5.1). My apologies to any and all readers in his position. However, I must to continue to keep pace with WP releases in order to stay ahead of comment spam […]
MoreMore TagHousekeeping
Dear members and guests: please note that I sometimes edit post titles and topic categories to more accurately reflect content and to improve the relevance of archive searches. Also, please continue to send me data for the various press censuses: Vandercooks, Asbern, Challenge, Reprex, etc. Model name Serial number (and year, e.g. Asbern) Owner (Press […]
MoreMore TagSerial number location on early models
This post is in response to a query on Letpress: Vandercook first issued serial numbers on presses in 1914. Until about 1925 they were located directly on the press bed at the right end midway between the lock up pins. It may be hidden by a removable bed plate and/or rust and oxided ink. This […]
MoreMore TagWork station
John Horn sent me this photo of his innovative rolling Vandercook work station. John says, “It’s two feet deep and four feet wide. It’s a prototype so it is pretty crude. I love having the furniture cabinet close at hand. I park this work station right behind the operator so that he or she can […]
MoreMore TagUniversal III carriage conversion
Chris Manson, proprietor of Crooked Crow Press, in Rockville, Maryland has converted his Universal III Power Vandercook to a hand-cranked press. He had a retired machinist make a collar extension to fit onto the bearing stub on the impression cylinder (photo 3). Onto this new bearing stub Chris attached a crank from a large Poco […]
MoreMore Tag232P restoration and conversion project
Wesleyan University Art Professor David Schorr and Studio Tech Kate Ten Eyck have acquired a Vandercook 232P for the Printmaking studio. Kate sent me this photo of the press as it looked in November. Their objective is to convert this power carriage press into a hand-cranked one. The 232 is a big press: maximum form: […]
MoreMore Tag“SRL” proof press
Marty Veerde, Chair of Printmaking at the Quay School of Fine Arts in Whanganui, New Zealand sent me these photos of a Vanderlook-alike with hopes that I could identify it. Unfortunately, I have no information on this make. It has only two written references on it, one on an attached plate stating “Impression On/Off” and […]
MoreMore TagR.O. Vandercook
Robert Oatman Vandercook, (1866–1951), was the founder of the pre-press equipment company that bore his name. His interest in printing began when he was ten years old. It was claimed that in high school he built his first press on which he printed the school paper.* While a student at Northwestern University (class of 1888), […]
MoreMore TagE.O. Vandercook
Edward Oatman Vandercook (1897–1985) was the eldest son of company founder R.O. Vandercook. After discharge from the military in 1918, he along with his brothers Fred and Dave began working for their father. The elder Vandercook retired by 1940 and E.O. Vandercook, who was general manager, became president and headed the company until it was […]
MoreMore TagVandy art
Here is a nice illustration of a No. 4 Vandercook, with a split vibrator and riders, featured in a two page ad for ink manufacturer Interchemical Corporation. (The Inland Printer, September 1953, p.24-25, from the library of Fritz Klinke). Is anyone familar with the pen-stick ink applicator shown?
MoreMore TagPresto proof press
Advertised in The Inland Printer (September 1953, p.119; it does not appear in previous or subsequent issues). This press features a reciprocating bed and a belt-driven oscillating roller. It may not have been put into production. Has anyone seen one of these? The manufacturer was based in Forth Worth, so perhaps one of our Texan friends? […]
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