Seeking help identifying a C&P letterpress
I’ve recently become custodian of my deceased father-in-law’s basement print shop. I am hoping that someone can help me ID his old press, and paper cutter; and perhaps give me an idea of their value. I’ve attached photos of both items. The only numbers I could find on the press are: 805AI, 806A, and 841 1/2 IV. The cutter has a 19” blade and a number 810833 on it.
I hope to find someone who appreciates this type of equipment and will continue to use it; I don’t want to just scrap it.
There is also 35+ sets of lead type ranging from 6pt-24pt; in 3 cabinets. All sorts of special characters and wooden type blocks. 6 chases for the press (3-8x12 and 3-12x18) and extra rollers. All sorts of wooden and metal spacers. Everything is in working order. We are in the Cleveland, OH area. I appreciate anyone’s thoughts or interest.
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The serial number of the press is stamped in an upper corner of the bed (the flat vertical plate below the round ink disc). It is stamped right into the flat surface of the bed at that location. You might have to clean the bed a little to find it. Once you find it, you can look it up on the following to find the press size and manufacture date:
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B52tm...
As for the cutter, I would contact Challenge Machinery Company, who in all likelihood made your cutter, at
http://www.challengemachinery.com/index.html
If you give them the serial number, Challenge may still be able to tell you the manufacture date, but probably not much else.