Here’s a vintage full page advertisement for a Hoe flatbed cylinder proof press from The British Printer, January-February 1933 (vol. XLV, no. 269, page 49). Hoe & Co. Ltd. was the London subsidiary of the New York printing equipment manufacturer R. Hoe & Co. Established in 1827, the parent company is remembered for their Washington-style iron handpress, but […]
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Reprex #2
I’ve been doing some printing on my newly acquired Reprex #2. At a glace the Reprex #2 looks similar to a Vandercook SP-15 in size and shape. Then when you get close you start noticing the differences. A large lever protrudes from the backside of the press. When putting the press in trip one must […]
MoreMore TagThree Generations of Lee at Challenge Machinery
From its founding and through several decades, the Lee family ran the Challenge Machinery Company. Challenge, which began as the successor to Shniedewend & Lee, became one of the largest printing equipment manfacturers with a wide range of products. Among their many innovations were the first paper drilling machine, the first hydraulic paper cutter and […]
MoreMore TagA.F. Wanner
Andrew Franklin Wanner (1855–1935) was a typefounder and the proprietor of A.F. Wanner & Co. a printing supplier and press manufacturer in Chicago. Today the company is remembered as the original maker of Potter and Poco proof presses. It was also one of the earliest selling agents for Vandercook. In 1867, Wanner moved to Chicago […]
MoreMore TagSoldan video
A Vanderblog reader just alerted me to a brief youtube video of a 30 x 24″ Soldan proof press in the UK that appears to be for sale.
MoreMore TagHorace W. Hacker
Horace Wardner Hacker (1879–1968) was the founder of the Hacker Manufacturing Co. in Chicago, which made plate gauges, and test presses that featured reciprocating beds with stationary carriages. Hacker held 14 U.S. Patents for various gauges and press mechanisms (and four later patents unrelated to printing). Like R.O. Vandercook, he was a proponent of pressroom […]
MoreMore TagReprex Inking System Question
Hello Vanderblog, I went to look at a Reprex proof press today. It hasn’t been used in about 20 years and it’s pretty dirty, there’s an oily goo all over the ink drum and the bed of the press, but it seems in pretty good mechanical condition. I’m considering buying it but have some questions […]
MoreMore TagRe: is it worth it?
Hi again, thanks for your input. Here are some more pics of the unit and parts not attached. Is this unit too far gone for restoring? (keeping in mind I have never had anything to do with this!) I don’t even know how it works! Please forgive my ignorance. I might yet give it a […]
MoreMore TagIs it rare? Is it worth restoring?
Greetings all. First time here for me. I have in my shed a Western Manufacturing (Reading) Ltd. England ‘The British’ 4C Mk2 under license from Vandercook serial 6453/4. Can you tell me when it was made? I had a look at the site , but can’t see one here. All the bits roll and move […]
MoreMore TagSoldan Lightning Proof Press
Greetings all. Approximately 6 years ago I took delivery of a proof press that remained in storage (in bits) until November 2010, when it was dragged kicking and screaming out of hibernation and pieced back together using the only picture I had. The picture showed the press assembled and in situ where it had come […]
MoreMore TagHelp with ink distribution roller Challenge 21MP
Hi folks! I’m hoping that your collective knowledge can help with a Ink Distribution Roller issue. I have a Challenger 21MP. I’ve restored it and it is in great shape….except for the Ink Distribution Roller. I’m not familiar with the guide mechanism for oscillating the roller. When I opened the roller I found the shaft […]
MoreMore TagChallenge 20 KP Rollers
Hello, I just picked up a Challenge 20 KP and the 3 rubber rollers are shot. I would greatly appreciate any info such as size and durometer so I can replace them. Thanks, Coby
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