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| We are posting
these photos - with possibly more to come - to assist
these folks in getting the press back together and
operational. We are also looking for a Washington Hand
Press specialist in the Dallas area who may be able to
help them in this goal. |
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The Washington Hand
Press is a style defined by the
cam-action impression lever. There were many models made -
by many manufacturers- for many years. But most of which
have survived were never intended to be used for
production work.  The Washington
Hand Press survived into the 20th century mostly as a
proofing press used by engravers to check their
work. This press we have here was made by The Cincinatti Type Foundry, is in pieces and was recently acquired by a museum in Texas. If it was used as a proofing press, it may never have had a registration frisket attached, as would be used for general printing. The large cylinder to the left of the press on the floor appears to be the cylinder from an old gravity proof press - not part of the Washington Press. The smaller wooden drum, however appears to have been part of the mechanism that would move the bed under the platen. The rails beneath the press would mount on the obvious support rails above it, but would also have a third leg that will mount through the hole seen in the cross piece in the foreground. However, we do not see the bed itself. Perhaps its elsewhere among the parts. The piece below is the platen. It will be suspended over the bed and will be pressed down as the lever is pulled to make a print.  The parts below appear to be mostly from the impression assembly. The crank to the right works with the wooden drum seen above and, using a flat (often leather) belt, drives the bed back and forth beneath the platen to position the form for printing. The rest of the parts should all be related to the lever and impression mechanism.   This appears to be
part of the paper-handling and impression system. Note to reader: If you have any experience in re-assembly of a Washingto Hand Press, please contact us below and we'll put you in touch with the folks who need your help. contact Alan if you can help. UPDATE
8/20/2013
For further information about
North American Hand Presses, we recommend
Robert Oldham's Field Guide to North American Hand Presses, available for $15 from Amazon.com or from our Fundraising Page |
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