Super-Royal Columbian Press: Platen Width 21 inches, Length: 29 inches. Physical dimensions: Height: 2.4m ; Width: 1.52m ; Length: 1.84m Nameplate inscription: R Besley & Co, No. 1585, Fann St, London, 1864. Cartouche: Fruit and flowers form a frame around the nameplate Small plaque inscription: Donated School of Grahic Arts by Collin & Company Ltd, 1963.
TA2231
1864
Sydney Institute
SI Heritage Collection
Ultimo
Object
Cast iron ; wood ; canvas
Printing is one of oldest courses taught at Sydney Technical College. Printing and its allied trades were identified with Sydney Technical College from "8th April 1890,...as been the actual date" p.222. Acknowledgement of the required skill to operate and manipulate carefully thought out type composition. This Columbian press was used as a proofing press. Proofing is a preliminary version of a document to check how it will appear before going to press. It appeared in the Sparkies, Foodies & Fashionists Exhibition, held in the Museum, August 1st - 28th, 2011. It was donated by Collin & Co Ltd, March 1968 to the School of Graphic Arts. College students completed restoration work prior to the Exhibition. Small plaque inscription: Donated School of Grahic Arts by Collin & Company Ltd, 1968. The Columbian press was invented by George Clymer, in 1813, a mechanic from the USA. The press failed to gain a significant market share in America. Clymer moved to the United Kingdom in 1818 and began producing the Columbian press in that country. This press was innovative in the application a combination of hand leavers to improve the pressure applied to the print process without additional strain to the print operator. The decorative embellishments and iron structure soon became features of the printing industry in the UK and the rest of Europe. After Clymer's death many manufacturers and distributors began to issue Columbian presses. R Beasley's Fann Street Type Foundry was one of these. Beasley was an employee of William Thorowgood's type face from 1826, until he formed a partnership with Thorowgood in 1836. Robert Besley & Co became name in 1849, on Thorowgood's retirement. Ornamental symbols - Counterweight: American Eagle; Talons grip Jove's thunderbolts (War); one side has the olive branch (Peace), the other the cornucopia of Plenty (Prosperity). Alluding to the balance of power Height: 50cm; Subcounterweight sits on the middle of the fulcrum: Columbia (female personification of USA) Sea serpents (or Dolphins) : Appears on face of the great leaver and ironwork app…
R Besley, Robert Besley (1794-1876), Robert Besley & Co, George Clymer (1754-1834), Fann Street Foundry, London
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