| While many printers are familiar with the common wooden press with a huge screw at the top, many are not so familiar with the mechanism of the more modern Iron hand presses. Reproduced below are two fine examples of such presses showing details of the "toggle" levers used to exert pressure in place of the earlier "wine press" type screw arrangement. |
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| This ornate press is the beautiful 1860 Cincinnati Press produced by the Famous Cincinnati, Ohio Typefounders. |
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Built in Boston in 1826, this rare specimen is the only known surviving
Union Press. It was on display at the Smithsonian Institution in the
1980's and is in working order with its original paint.
These historic American presses, along with other rare and precious presses are owned by rare press collector Jeff Craemer and are housed in his Mount Tam Press and Museum in San Rafael, California. Mr Craemer's collection is unique in that it consists of hand- operated presses only. For a tour, contact Jeff Craemer at 35 Mill Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 or call (415-454-9763. (Photographs by Uwe H. Breker, Koln, Germany) |