In a 2010 post, I examined Vandercook’s claim to be “the originators of the modern proof press.” In it I discussed presses shown in a 1906 catalog issued by the British manufacturer Harrild & Sons (courtesy of Steven O. Saxe). In the comments, Eric Holub shared images from a 1904 catalog for Soldan’s, another British firm. Here’s another contender thanks again to Steve Saxe, with whom […]
MoreMore TagAuthor: Paul Moxon, Moderator
Quick Roller Diameter Gauge
Our friend Kevin Martin at the Papertrail, in New Dundee, Ontario, Canada, has developed an ingenious flexible roller diameter gauge. It’s available as a free pdf on his website.
MoreMore TagFlorida service trip
I’m planning to drive from Mobile, Alabama to Sarasota to tune up some Vandercooks at Ringling College of Art & Design May 21–22. If anyone is interested in a service call before or after these dates, please contact me as soon as possible.
MoreMore TagO.C. Geffken
Otto C. Geffken (1901–71) was an engineer at Vandercook & Sons and is named in at least one patent. The card, set in Kaufmann Bold and Stymie, is ca. 1938. Geffken appears in catalogs and model brochures of the era such as this one at right. (R.L. Pelland, another engineer, is believed to be second from the left).
MoreMore TagSoCal Sojourn
I’m making another attempt to get to SoCal in mid-March. If anyone wants a Vandercook repair consult or workshop in the area don’t delay, contact me for details. I will book a flight soon.
MoreMore TagVandercooking on the Left Coast
On Monday, January 6, I will do a slide talk and press walk around at the International Printing Museum in Los Angeles. Then, after a workshop for staff and students at Otis College of Art Design, I fly to SF for a pair of workshop at San Francisco Center for the Book, January 9-12. From there […]
MoreMore TagHappy New Year
May your bearers be clean, your rollers be true and your packing be tight Detail from a July 1963 British Printer display ad for Dayco Rubber (U.K.) Ltd. Plant: Cooper & Beatty, Ltd., Toronto.
MoreMore TagExcello Proof Press
This display ad appeared in most issues of Graphic Arts Monthly, vol. 1, 1929, but does not appear thereafter. Neither was it advertised or mentioned in The Inland Printer or Photo-Engravers Bulletin before, during, or after 1929. (Perhaps, there wasn’t enough interest in this product, and likely Black Tuesday—the infamous crash of the stock market on […]
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Get alerted to new posts and pages on vanderblog via twitter. Follow @vandercookpress.
MoreMore TagTwo Early Custom Vandercooks
Here are two very large proof presses specially designed by R.O. Vandercook, and built by Chicago machinists Reichel & Drews, circa 1912–14. While neither press is known to exist today, they demonstrate that Vandercook was able to satisfy specific client requests early in his career as a manufacturer. The illustration at left, accompanying an article in the June […]
MoreMore TagNew Printing History Website
The American Printing History Association is pleased to announce its new website. In addition to being a resource for APHA members, it features articles by experts and enthusiasts of interest to the printing history community at large. Visitors will find that it’s responsive to all devices. Yours truly is editor in chief and welcomes 300–500 word […]
MoreMore TagThe Lost Vandercook House Organ
Recently, I completed a fellowship at the Newberry Library in support of research for the second edition of my book Vandercook Presses: Maintenance, History and Resources (2011). While there, I spent most of my time perusing various trade journals including The Inland Printer, Photo-engravers Bulletin, Graphic Arts Monthly and British Printer, among others, spanning 1909–1976. As I sort out my findings, I […]
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