Lot 272
A HARRILD & SONS GOLD AND BLACK PAINTED CAST IRON ALBION PLATEN PRESS, STAMPED, FLEET WORKS, LONDON, CIRCA 1829,
the slightly arched top enclosing molded "ALBION PRESS / HARRILD & SONS / MAKERS LONDON," over a crowned Royal Coat of Arms and molded "PATENT / 1788," surmounted by a crowned circular medallion centering a shielded "H&S" monogram encircled by PRINTING MATERIALS / MANUFACTURERS," topped by an oval shielded cross, above "FLEET" WORKS / LONDON.E.C.," raised on paired monopodia with foliate wrapped hips ending in paw feet. Height: 5' 10" Width: 29" Depth: 54"
- Provenance: THE PRINTING MUSEUM, Houston, Texas, proceeds to benefit THE PRINTING MUSEUM, Houston, Texas.
- Exhibited: Permanent Collection Exhibition 2023 and Beyond
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Notes:
The Albion Press, a platen press developed in London by Richard Whittaker Cope during the 1820s and similar in design to the 15th century press of Johannes Gutenberg. Cope possibly picked the name "Albion" from poetry of the period when it was used to represent "England." This was in response to the recent arrival of the Columbian Press with its American eagle ornaments.
This version of the Albion, manufactured by Harrild & Sons of London, was known as a portable overland press. Unlike most cast iron hand presses of the time, which were bulky, heavy, and unsuited to moving by wagon or stage, the Albion could be broken down into six parts for comparatively easy transport over long distances in the United States and Mexico.
A press similar to this Albion was acquired by Samuel Bangs for the state government of Coahuila y Tejas (Coahuila and Texas) circa 1829. Over the next two decades, it was used to print official government materials. It is unclear whether Samuel Bangs, who had begun importing presses into Mexico and Texas in the mid 1820s, printed on this press or whether he simply orchestrated the sale. In either case, it was likely similar to the press on which he printed the Gazeta Constitucional de Coahuiltejas (Constitutional Gazette of Coahuiltejas) from 1829-1830.
It has been suggested that this press remained in use by the government of Coahuila until about 1880, when it was acquired by private printers/family business. It then remained in a printing plant until 1976, when it was acquired from Ricardo Cano Robles y Castillo of Monclova, Coahuila, Mexico. -
Condition:
Good restored condition with some surface rust scattered in small areas, the wooden handle has a large deep crack, the faded red cloth panel is dry rotted, has old tape securing to the frame and needs replacing, the rolled canvas bands on the underside are torn and need replacing.
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