This letterpress platen was manufactured by Chandler and price, Cleveland, Ohio, USA between 1903 and 1904.
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.
Setting type by hand is known as 'composing the type'.
The type is taken letter by letter and placed into a 'setting stick' -- a wood or metal tray held in one hand and the words are built into lines of type of a set width.
The lines are then put together to make a page inside a metal frame called a "chase". Spaces in amongst the page are filled with wooden or metal "furniture". The furniture is level with the surfaces of the type blocks so as not to pick up any ink. The spaces between the chase walls and the page are filled with expandable "quoins". Quoins, when tightened, lock all the type and furniture securely within the chase (now called a "forme").
The forme is placed on the press and printing commenced.
Donation from Victoria: Government Printing Office, by 10/1987
Serial number: 40381 (The serial number can be found at top right of the bed.) Cast on rocker: Chandler & Price Cast on roller bearer at rear: The Chandler & Price Co Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Type of item
1360 mm (Length), 820 mm (Width), 1270 mm (Height), 450 kg (Weight)
LENGTH IS AT FULL EXTENSION. L95 CM WHEN PRESS PLATE CLOSED. Historical dimensions: Known as an 8" x 12" press. The area that could be printed was the internal measurements of the chase. The same applies to all platen presses
35 cm (Length), 23 cm (Width)
38 cm (Length), 25 cm (Width)
36 cm (Length), 4 cm (Width)
There are three rollers.
1220 mm (Length), 722 mm (Width), 1280 mm (Height)
Measurement From Conservation. Measuring Method: Maximum dimensions when folded out