Shniedewend and Lee Co. 8x12 Gordon
Hi. I have just come across an old Shniedwind and Lee press that looks like it is in good condition and the price is right. I haven’t been able to find much information about these presses and was curious if anyone out there knows about them or has one in the tri-state (NY, NJ, CT) area and might be willing to educate me a little bit about it before I buy it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike
Try Alan at Excelsior Press in New Jersey. Dick G.
Schniedewend & Lee started as an electrotype company in 1870. Surviving the Chicago Fire of 1871, they started soon after to produced machinery for the printing and engraving industries. The S&L and Challenge presses were produced from 1884 to 1893, when the partners separated. Paul Schniedewend continued to sell printer’s and engraver’s machinery under his name until his death in 1913. James Lee moved his operation to Grand Haven, Michigan, starting the Challenge Company, which still exists today. They continued to make the Challenge Press until 1910.
Paul
I think the S&L Gordon is pretty similar to the C&P version, though parts would not be interchangeable. Operation would be nearly identical. You’d need to be sure the press is complete — no missing parts, including chases (minimum 1, hopefully at least 2) and treadle if you want to operate in that mode. If the press seems complete and the price is right I’d say go for it — at the least you’ll be able to print lots of stuff and you’ll have a somewhat rare press to do it on.
Bob
I have a 10x15 S&L Gordon. The main difference between it and a C&P is that the throw-off lever works backwards.
Paul
Is this the press that is on the western mass. craigslist? If so, it has the roller cores but they need to be recovered - maybe $100? It also said that it comes with a motor but doesn’t look like it has a treadle. I would recommend against learning a press while motor powered. It looks to be in good shape otherwise, the owner probably took good care of it, I bought my C & P from him a year ago and it was garaged and dry. Actually, I considered buying it but am finally starting to get a little elbow room in the shop and don’t want to sacrifice it at this time. If you have any other questions let me know. Best of luck and tell Bryant I said hi!
Steve
Paper Stone Printing
Steve Nartowicz
P.O. Box 137
Chesterfield MA 01012
413-834-0930
www.paperstoneprinting.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/paperstoneprinting
Thanks, everyone for posting these replies! I now feel like I have some background on this press and it’s history. Here is a picture of it - yes it’s the one on CL. I’m going to check it out this weekend and see about the treadle.
I did just get an email from a studio in western Mass selling a C&P 10x15 with a miller auto feed for $1000, which I will check out, too. I’ve got a lot of research to do in the next few days… Thanks again!
Mike
PRESS3.jpg
PRESS1.jpg
Hi everyone,
So I ended up buying the press. It is in very nice shape and came with a lot of extras including a variable speed motor and loads of furniture and even a few random boxes of type. I did notice that it has no rollers though. Joe from Rollcraft has been very helpful and should be able to fabricate a set for me. I am picking it up this weekend, wish me luck! Thanks again for your advice!
And Steve, Jeanie and Bryant say hi back!
Mike