Search the collections

Printing Press - Harris, Offset, Envelope, Unknown Date Reg. No: ST 029849

Summary:: This is a letterpress printing press used for printing envelopes, manufactured by the harris Automatic Press Company, the date of manufacture is unknown.

Letterpress is a term used to define the process of printing from a raised surface, be it type or block. The term takes it origins from the act of pressing a letter onto another substance, usually paper.

The machine holds a stereo plate and had been specifically built for stereo printing.
Stereotyping is a process in which a whole page of type is cast in a single mold so that a printing plate can be made from it. Until the invention of the stereotype, printing type had to be reset if a second printing was to be made.

Operation
The machine has a small 'knock-up' table at the rear. A number of blank envelopes, say 200, was placed in the feed tray behind the cylinder. A mechanism pushed an envelope between the cylinders and it fed out onto the back circular table.

This press has a cylinder designed to hold a curved stereo plate. It is a rare surviving piece of printing machinery in that it could not be used with type. A rubber stereo, similar to a rubber stamp, is attached to the machine and carries the following:-
If not claimed within 7 days return to
Maternal and Child Welfare Branch
Department of Health
272-282 Queen Street
Melbourne, 3000
Acquisition Information:: Donation from Victoria: Government Printing Office, 1977

Discipline:

Technology

Tagged with:	printing equipment, printing, printing machines, picture of hariss
Themes this item is part of:	Stereotype & Cliche, Letterpress Printing, Information & Communication Collection
Primary Classification:	COMMUNICATIONS
Secondary Classification:	Printing
Tertiary Classification:	printers
Manufacturer:	Widdows Bros & Co Ltd, London, England, Great Britain, Unknown
References:	http://australianscreen.com.au/titles/sydney-morning-herald/clip1/ - accessed 13 November 2008