Oxford University Press - the making of a book 1925

Thankyou, platenprinter for this excellent film.
I experienced most of those functions in the making of books, and also newspaper printing then jobbing or commercial work, often on machines and tools of that vintage. From concept to delivery. My experience was during the early 1960’s.
It changed very quickly soon after. Then, armed with all that practical experience, studied Costing and Estimating and went on to manage businesses and start my own.
I am very grateful for that experience and believe it forms the foundations and basis of what I teach at my letterpress school here at Rockley, mid west NSW. The technology has improved greatly, but the essences are still there. My students leave with a good grasp of letterpress printing, many of whom have taken that experience to higher levels.
The odd thing about the film is that it has made me realise that as a man in my mid 60’s it’ll soon be time to stop and devote more time to my wife, Trish, who has been a faithful and supportive person for nearly 5 decades. I have decided to finish my teaching at the end of 2014. My equipment will be offered to my students, at sensible prices. The money will be spent on Trish as we take our first ever “real” holiday, free of any committments and financial concerns. SOOOO! People thinking of doing my courses are asked to see the adverts on this site and contact me for other information on [email protected] or www.willamer.com.au Former students are encouraged to register their interest in the equipment, which they know is in excellent condition, by email, so as to simplify matters well before the end of 2014.
William Amer. Rockley, NSW Australia
PS there is a mistake in this posting, but I can’t find it even after proof-reading it many times. Please let me know.

Platen Printer, Sir, Thank you for posting the Silent film from 1925 absolutely Brilliant, the Music is a bit suspect but I suppose synonymous with the *Roaring Twenties*
I could probably have fallen in love with the girl in the print dress *Collating* except for the shoes!! but then she probably freelanced on weekends, stamping in Baby Fir trees for the Forestry commission??
The hand fed machine printing 64 pages, is presumably backing up 32 = 64 but must be slitting, on the run, and delivering as 2 separate piles, perhaps a precursor to later day split duct, with 2 colours, or in essence, later day, modern twin fed, but seperate sheets gripped and registered simultaneously, to both lay edges, H/berg G.T.O. possibly???
Although the machine pictured running is obviously not a *Perfector* many, (possibly) Laterday, L/Press printers may just think that perfectors are a comparitively new phenomenon, (with thanks for the original post) a quick trawl through my little archive of books on Letterpress, I have now, on sight, picture of, *Illustrated London News* Printing Machine @ International Inventions Exhibition, 1885 Two-feeder Bremmer Machine, Not perfecting? Probably 2 rev machine printing on each revolution, (not obvious from the shot) but definitely being hand, fed fore & aft of the single cylinder, and the sheets on flyers, to a high level, with third Minder at about 10 foot altitude, on a quaint little seat, WITHOUT a seat belt!!
2nd quote from, The Art and practice of Printing, published 1932 and including many references to L/Press and machinery from the U.S.A.??
On sight, and quoted as follows:- pictured, *American Meihle Company,s Perfecting Two Rev Machine, (Publication dated 1932) Perhaps, 21st Century 10 colour Perfecter makers, are not THAT revolutionary or new.???
In the same article, also include reference to the *UPHAM COLOUR ATTACHMENT*, ingenious auxiliary printing device, for attachment to THE American Meihle machines, so perhaps 2 colour machines are not that new or revolutionary, either.???
Platen Printer Thank you, good thought provoking article, excuse, to break for yet another cup of coffee, and possibly/hopefully invite one or two newbies to look in.!!!

What a great film.

Thank you - thoroughly enjoyed the film.

I would love to have my local hse man see the three knife !!!

Wonderful to see.

Seems I’ve read that the Oxford University Press is the oldest continuous press in the English speaking world.

Through the years their books have been superb examples of elegant, sound bookmaking. Thanks.