Several people have written to me about the Vandercook to be auctioned later this month on Bidspotter. This press, Vandercook’s first production model, is a circa 1909 Trip Action High Side Arm Press aka the Rocker. (Vandercook didn’t stamp serial number into their presses until 1914 and it’s not known how long the Rocker was […]
MoreMore TagAuthor: Paul Moxon, Moderator
Printing forms over type high
This question comes via email: Q: Is the Vandercook letterpress capable of printing forms larger than type high? I have a woodblock that I’ve carved, and it is about 1/8″ higher than the type. A: It is possible only if you have a press equipped with an adjustable bed (e.g: 219 AB, 15-21, Universal I […]
MoreMore TagVand Men
This photograph shows former Vandercook Vice President Bill Critchlow (4th from left) and his sales team. Vandercook had become a division of Illinois Tool Works in 1968. Several of these names appear on the serial number/model cards held by NA Graphics. Critchlow is married to E.O. Vandercook’s daughter Lynn. Joe Koyak (3rd from left) was […]
MoreMore TagArizona Rising
Recently, I spent six fun, but exhausting Vandercook-filled days in Tuscon. While there I tuned up a 215 at Chax press (at left) and a non-motorized SP15 at Heather Greene’s private studio. I then taught three workshops, gave an evening lecture at the University of Arizona and worked on four Vandercooks in the new book […]
MoreMore TagHarold E. Sterne
Harold E. Sterne (APA 502) died October 2 at age 81. Hal who co-founded NA Graphics is responsible for saving what remained of Vandercook—its records and parts inventory—from being dumped when he bought what was then called Vandersons. For this and for helping to develop the earliest version of this website and for writing the […]
MoreMore TagLouis Flader
Today’s Vandercook operators may know that most models were designed to meet the needs of the bygone photoengraving industry. A central figure of that industry was the German-born American Louis Flader (1877-1963): technician, labor leader, executive and author. As editor of Photo-Engravers Bulletin he wrote the articles “Story of a Visit to the New Vandercook […]
MoreMore TagMaintenance page added
As a companion to the Glossary, I’ve created a new Maintenance page, which suggests routine maintenance for common Vandercook models. Check it out and let me know what needs correcting and what should be added.
MoreMore TagGlossary page added
I’ve created a new Glossary page defining mechanical terms for newbies. It doesn’t include common terms covered in operator manuals or letterpress instruction books. Check it out and let me know what needs correcting and what should be added.
MoreMore TagOrigin of the modern proof press reconsidered
While looking for information on proof presses built by Harrild & Sons, better known for its iron hand presses, I asked Stephen O. Saxe, author of American Iron Hand Presses, what he knew about this British firm. In reply he scanned this page from a 1906 Harrild catalog, shown at left. This press features a […]
MoreMore TagD.D. Vandercook
Revised. David Dodge Vandercook (1901-1975) was Vice President of Engineering and Board Secretary and the second son of founder R.O. Vandercook. His name appears on 16 U.S. patents, sometimes with his father and brothers or key employees. D.D. Vandercook’s knowledge of engineering was self-taught. Too young to serve in WWI, he had to work to […]
MoreMore TagF.R. Vandercook
This day in 1903 saw the birth of Frederick Robert Vandercook. The youngest son of company founder R.O. Vandercook, he was CFO when it was sold to Illinois Tool Works in 1968. Little is known about F.R. Vandercook, his name appears on nine U.S. patents, but he seems to have not written for publication. Longtime […]
MoreMore TagCentenary Bundle Exhibited in South Africa
Bundle contributors Mark Sandham and Kalle Pihlajasaari have organized an exhibition of the Vandercook Centenary Print Bundle at the University of Witwatersrand Library, Johannesburg, South Africa. This is the first exhibition of the bundle outside of the United States. Exhibition details and a catalogue in PDF are available at: www.letterpress.co.za/news/vandercook.
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