This page provides information about Potter flatbed cylinder proof presses.
Patented in 1910 by William G. Potter, these presses have reciprocating beds and stationary carriages. They were made by A.F. Wanner & Co. until 1914 when it was reorganized as Horace Hacker & Co. In 1931, Challenge Machinery acquired the Poco and Potter brands.
The No. 0 has no grippers or inking assembly. The Nos. 1 and 2 have paper grippers, while the No. 3 has grippers and an inking assembly. No sources for parts are known. Any parts needed will have to be fabricated. Some owners of Potter-proof presses who could be of help are listed in the Potter census.
Potter Specs
| Model | Paper Size | Bed Size | Fl. Space | Wt. (lbs.)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 0 A.F. Wanner | 11 × 24 | |||
| No. 0 Hacker and Challenge-Poco | 12 × 18 | 12⅞ × 18¼ | 27 × 51 | 210 |
| No. 1 A.F. Wanner | 10 × 25 | |||
| No. 1 Hacker and Challenge-Poco | 13 × 25 | 13 × 25 | 33 × 73 | 355 |
| No. 2 A.F. Wanner | 16¼ × 25 | |||
| No. 2 Hacker and Challenge-Poco | 18 × 25 | 18 × 25 | 39 × 51 | 405 |
1. Add 40 lbs. for Nos. 1 and 2 feed board attachments.
2. Add 60 lbs. for No. 3 feed board attachment.
History
1910-14
Potter and Poco brands were patented in 1910 by Walter G. Potter, of whom little is known. Manufactured by A. F. Wanner Co., Chicago.
1914
The company is renamed Horace Hacker Co., later Hacker Manufacturing.
1923
Some Potters have badges that say “Made for American Type Founders Co.”. ATF introduced “The American Cut Cost System” in their now famous 1923 specimen book. The system featured a comprehensive, customizable plant workflow program with an “American Cut Cost System” branded product line developed by ATF’s “efficiency engineers.” Its component on composing rooms included the Chicago-built Potter proof press then made by Hacker Mfg.
ATF Specimen, 1923 p.927
1931
the Potter and Poco brands were acquired by Challenge Machinery and rebranded as “Challenge-Potter” and “Challenge-Poco.”
ATF Machinery and Equipment Catalog, 1935 p.F-11, F-13
Further Reading
1912 ATF Catalog, Archive.org, p.1184
Poco Presses
Hacker Presses
Challenge Presses
Poco on Google
Vandercookpress.info is not legally affiliated with any owner of the names Challenge, Challenge Machinery Corp., Hacker, Potter, Poco or Vandercook.