Hi everyone. I’m new to the forum, and new to letterpress as well. I’ve taken a couple classes, and have had the press in the pictures above for years. I’ve got tons of questions about maintenance, but I’ll start with help in identifying this model. It’s a truss proof press, and the only number I can find on it is in the lower left hand corner of the bed. It is stamped 1880. Any help is much appreciated!
Thank you!
Ray
Thank Fritz! I love information like that. So it looks like it’s spent almost its whole life in San Francisco! Funny thing is, that I go by that address every day on the way home from work. The original building is long gone, unfortunately.
This press started out on February 29, 1924 as being loaned by Vandercook to the Hedstrom-Barry Co., 618 Sherman Street, Chicago, and then was sold on March 27, 1924 to John S. Thompson, 163 First Street, San Francisco. It is listed as being a Model 1 press.
Thank you, Paul!
For the Census, I am in Richmond, California (San Francisco Bay Area).
Welcome, aboard. This is a Double Truss No. 1 Vandercook. Truss refers the frame under which the cylinder bearings rolls. The serial number table dates it to 1924.
The Vandercook census lists eight Double Truss and 17 Single Truss No. 1s. Tell me your location and I will add yours.