Mysterious press that I can’t identify

Hi guys,

I stumbled upon this press this morning behind an old workshop and can’t quite work out what it is. By the looks of it there seems to be a platen and press bed in there but the rollers are set up a bit like a rotary press. Also, all the roll feed attachments on the front of the press throw me off as well.
Closest I’ve come so far is possibly something like a ‘Godfrey’s Improved Gripper Platen’ (see attached image) otherwise it is some sort of label press.

I’m intrigued to know if anyone can shed any light on this.

Thanks for your help!

Doug

image: shot5.JPG

shot5.JPG

image: shot4.JPG

shot4.JPG

image: shot3.JPG

shot3.JPG

image: shot2.JPG

shot2.JPG

image: shot1.JPG

shot1.JPG

image: gofreys-rotary-gripper-platen.jpg

gofreys-rotary-gripper-platen.jpg

Log in to reply   6 replies so far

Of no practical help but may prompt further investigation.??

Is it just possible that the system employed was the precursor to (or *borrowed* from) Our U.K. Donald Aspinall,s >ADANA T.P. 48< system, 1920,s, whereby the the entire Ink Train circumnavigates the *D* shaped bed. = T.P. 48 & T.P. 71.

An example still in use by the Author.!

The chances are that, the Feeder swings away for access to the Forme/Chase, as in the Vertical Meihle, Ink Train and entire Feeder unit, ????any evidence of such,????

It looks like VERY VERY hard work otherwise, we think the 13” x 18* Heidelberg Platen is bad enough.
Lifting a heavy forme in and over the Feed unit.

Apologies for rubbish and /or Red Herrings.!!!

Addendum.! In our Museum Print Shop, (Amberley Sussex U.K.) in the modest but fairly comprehensive Archives/Records there is a tiny reference to a Machine called a *Firefly* NOT a shop with the same name, perhaps that name was inspired by the M/C. of that name, but it appears to be of the *D* configuration.!! unfortunately just a “tatty” line drawing.

Thanks for the info Mick. I did a bit of digging around and found mention of the Firefly printing press in a google archive which then talks about a ‘Kidder’ which fed card stock from a roll and after printing cut the card to size.

Here is a link to the google book reference for any curious people out there -> https://books.google.com.au/books?id=N5O73Rde6UwC&pg=PA154&lpg=PA154&dq=...

The Kidder company seemed to create various models around this system (see attached). The ‘Double Quarto’ looks vaguely like this press but without better images or a physical example to compare with its anyone’s guess! The press I took photos of was in a small historic town on a train line so perhaps it once was printing train tickets??

image: IP1_007.jpg

IP1_007.jpg

image: IPR1_115.JPG

IPR1_115.JPG

D. & d. >(lower case)?<
Thank You for the *nod* and I return the Compliment,
i.e. Your link is brilliant, and has opened up a whole new *can of worms* especially the many references to *Parallel Lines* within the same time frame, including American and English endeavour,s on many of the Early press,s.

Will browse the entire article(s) later. Thanks. Mick . . Older than the Mount Rushmore memorial, by 18 Months,?? But still like to cram some in.!!

older than mt. rushmore, and made from the same material, sorry Mick had to do it.

older than mt. rushmore, and made from the same material, sorry Mick had to do it.

Thank You Dick. Fair comment, BUT lead occurs naturally, in my case more than my fair share, inc, a good spattering of mercury.
Linotype operators must have a little more than most.!!! inc. Lead, Mercury, Graphite dust, (from the space bands)

My 5 Bucks,”” against Your 5 Bucks,”“” that says that You never ate the *Cheese and pickle Sarnies* whilst pumping out Lino Product.!!!

But look on the bright side, when/if a Nuclear holocaust occurs a few of the *Good Ole Boys* Lino/Mono ops, will already have a little inbuilt protection, no lead jacket required.… Thanks Dick.… Mick

””” Buck as in $ Bill OR male goat possibly.??