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 […]
MoreInk/impression issue on SP-20
I’m having some issues with a print I’m working on today. It’s a long form (photopolymer) – approx 17” – that I’m running vertically. I’m using photopolymer on a solid wood base that’s shimmed with chipboard up to type high. Printing on Lettra 110 with black ink. The initial couple of lines are very heavy, […]
MoreAdjusting Cams on Universal I Power
I have a early model Universal I Power that I have recently purchased. When running the automatic carriage it has a tendency to slam into the end of the run and upon returning to the feed board slamming into that. I have adjusted the speed and the brake using the dials on the operators side, […]
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MoreTwo 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 […]
MoreSP-15 Gear Roller Grunt
One of our SP-15s makes a sort of grunting noise as it travels down the bed. I suspect it is the gear on the back form roller, but I cannot see any issue with it. The other SP-15 is silent during this travel, and this noise is new, so something seems to be out of […]
MoreVandercook 320 for Sale
SOLD The press (sn 8527) has a 3×8 ft footprint and it weighs about 2000 lbs. The bed measures 20×46″ and can print a block that is 19×24.5″. It is not a production press like the SP15, but the large bed makes it more versatile and attractive for printmakers and poster printers. This press has been […]
MoreGummy SP-20 rollers
After acquiring, I did a thorough clean-up the ink rollers on my SP-20. That was months ago, and they have remained somewhat gummy, tacky to the touch. At first I thought it was due to the humidity, but that’s no longer an issue. They were pretty crudded up & I gave them a good scrubbing […]
MoreOil Change on #4 and Universal 1
I am interested in changing the oil from the old original Vandercook oil to new SAE-20 oil in my Universal 1 and my #4. My question is how to go about it. The #4 has little flip cups for the oil and the Universal is just screws. Do I drain them from the screws, do […]
MoreNew 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 […]
MoreReprex No. 2 Questions
Hello – I have a few questions about my Reprex No. 2. I was hoping some other Reprex owners might be able to share some operational insight. Thanks in advance! In the Reprex PDF it is recommended to lubricate the following items: cam shaft, cams, and linkage in ink system lifting mechanism rider and form […]
MoreThe 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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