Info Please - Early Wesel Proof Press

It is a galley proof press. Wesel made these as early as 1907 (see BB&S catalog No. 9). They were motorized, with rheostat controller on the front of the column, and foot-treadle operation. Yours has been de-electrified.
In use, you lay the galley of type on the bed, run the inking rollers over it, lay a sheet of paper on the form, and run the impression roller over that.
The later Vandercook models 23 and HS-27 have the same chain-carried rollers. Wesel also made a more modern version into the 50s or 60s. Earlier in the century they made handpresses and diagonal groove plate base.