Ostrander Seymour Scroll Saw
Hi everyone,
I just acquired a very heavy duty Ostrander Seymour Scroll Saw. I can’t find information anywhere on this saw. The questions I have are:
Does anyone out there have one of these?
I know Ostrander Seymour was in the printing plate/press type of business, but why would they make a scroll saw?
Does anyone have a picture of a scroll saw from an Ostrander Seymour Catalog that they can share?
Any other information is appreciated.
Gene
Ostrander-Seymour were primarily suppliers to photoengraving plate makers, whose main business for years was zinc photoengravings, with copper a close second. In many cases they would gang a lot of plates in a batch, and after they were etched they would need to cut them apart. Because the shapes of line cuts were mostly irregular, a scroll saw would be ideal for the job. After cutting apart, most were mounted on wood and routed to lower the non-printing areas, so an over-arm router would also have been a power tool in a photoengraving shop.
Bob
I have one of their catalogs in the studio. I’ll send you some scans when I get back there tomorrow.
Daniel Morris
The Arm Letterpress
Brooklyn, NY
Which edition of the catalog do you have, Dan? What hand presses does it illustrate?
Bob
Hi Bob,
This is catalog #23- this seems to be their most common catalog. It has a number of tipped in updates so it seems it was sent out later than when originally issued.
Hand presses shows are the Extra Heavy Photo-Engravers’ Proof Press (available in four sizes) and the Regular Pattern Proof Press (available in five sizes).
Dan
Thanks! That’s the edition I have too — in Virginia! There was an earlier one that illustrated W. A. Fields Washington presses, I think from the later teens.
Bob
Dan,
Thanks for the offer of sending some scans from your catalog in regard to my scroll saw. I am very interested in seeing how it was described in an original manual.
Gene
Hi Gene,
Could you get me the specific model info from your saw? I got a bit stumped looking at all the different types of saws in that catalog!
Dan
Dan,
There are no model numbers on the saw. I am going to try and attach an image now. This may help.
Thanks,
Gene
Ostrander Seymour Scroll Saw.jpg
Gene,
What is your email address? I will send you high res scans of the 2 pages on your saw. The Briar Press image hosting won’t allow me to upload the images at a useful size.
Dan
Dan,
Contact me through the link.
I much appreciate you doing this for me. I can’t wait to find out more about this saw.
Gene
Dan ,
Email is [email protected].