What kind of press is this?

Can anyone tell me what kind of press this is? I couldn’t see any mark on it other than “1895”

image: Press.jpg

Press.jpg

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I would guess a Golding, need a larger picture with more detail. Check out the museum on this site and you will probably figure it out!

If it was a Golding it would have their name fairly prominently on it. I would guess maybe a Craftsmen — they got some of Golding’s casting patterns etc and continued to make the Pearl and perhaps the smaller Jobbers as well — this looks like a small Jobber, maybe 8x12?

Bob

Hi jtobey,

It is a Golding Jobber. Either a No. 6 or a No. 7 but I’d guess a No. 6 (8”x12”) as AdLibPress suggests. Craftsmen reproduced the Improved Pearl, but, not the Jobber. The nameplate may have come off or you haven’t looked in the right place yet. Close the press a little and look for a nice brass nameplate in front just beyond the delivery board attached to the platen. I have a new website up for Golding enthusiasts if you would like more information, but, I’m not sure of the posting rules on adding links, so if you want to learn more about this press contact me offline.

Thank you so much! If anyone knows what these kind of presses go for, that would be helpful, too, as I have to make an offer and I want to be fair, but what do I know about Golding Jobbers? Obviously not even enough to identify one…

Hi jtobey,

The bad news is they are heavy. The good news is they are heavy. What I mean by this is that they can be a little daunting to move for the novice, but, they are more reasonably priced because fewer people are willing to move them. (about 1000lbs.) The other good news is they are wonderful presses, capable of the finest work and great impression strength. This looks like the smallest jobber made which is a really nice machine. Value is always difficult because of unique circumstances. I don’t see a means of powering the press in the photo. It needs either a motor and belt, or a treadle. That is important and effects the value. The last two I purchased were $250 and $400 respectively. Both had issues, including missing or broken parts. Most do. Important parts to look for are rollers or roller cores (at least 3) trucks (at least 6), and chases (at least 1) Ask and look for any broken parts or parts that have been repaired. That lowers value also. Move the flywheel by hand. Does the press cycle smoothly? It should. Did the current owner use the press himself? If so, he should be able to tell you about how it works and about the inevitable issues. One sold on Ebay not too long ago that was there for months at $599. or best offer. Don’t know what the best offer was finally. I have an offer to buy a No. 7 for $400 that is in a basement and has no power. That should give you an idea on where to start.
I’m available for more questions if needed.

I can echo John’s comments (“The bad news is they are heavy. The good news is they are heavy”): I bought a Golding Jobber No. 8 in October for $500 here in Prince Edward Island. It’s more press than I need, but it was likely one of the last presses to ever come onto the market locally, so I jumped.

When everything is added up I ended up spending another $500 getting the press moved: it is HEAVY, and I went through one piano mover and a towing company before I found a mover who had the equipment and the expertise sufficient to safely move the press.

The man I bought the press from estimated its weight at 700 or 800 pounds; the mover who actually moved it thought it closer to 2000 lbs.

image: Golding Jobber No. 8

Golding Jobber No. 8

image: Golding Jobber No. 8 being moved.

Golding Jobber No. 8 being moved.

I dream about finding a Golding in the mid-west for <=$500, very jealous.