Treasure in the Trash

I would sincerely appreciate documents, web links, photos, anything that would assist in the revival of this old Adana.

After seven years of hunting and collecting, dust and rust removal, lead paint sniffing, Briar Press forums, storage issues and learning curves, I am now at my last equipment restoration. Deliberately saved.

Originally purchased nearly 2 years ago, responding to an advertisement for ‘Old Print Related equipment’. It laid amid the bottom of one of three boxes of old tins of inks, some lead type in canisters and ‘Quality (old and crappy) paper’.

In the chase lay a forme created at ANU press (Australian National University).

I would like to return this press, in a workable, restored original state, to its original owner or place of origin where it can be utilised.

Who can help?

Regards

Andrew

image: Adana.jpg

Adana.jpg

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It is a 1930s Quarto which had a large single roller, I acquired mine in a similar rusty state. There were several variations of the quarto flatbed, sheet metal ink plate/rotating disk, platen faced with steel/not faced, retaining strip top and bottom of the platen/ tympan held in place by wedges.

If you are going to use it remove the roller arm and the remains of the roller, it is easier to hand ink.

Rub off the rust with a fine abrasive paper and lightly oil.

The bed is sheet steel so you can use magnetic quoins/ magnets to hold a chase in place if you don’t have the original.

There is no platen adjustment so you have to adjust the pressure in the packing if too heavy a print at top or bottom

The platen tends to twist to the side when under pressure, use a couple of pieces of wood type on the side to act as bearers.

The link is to a Flickr group which has some pictures of other Quartos.

https://www.flickr.com/groups/2751158@N23/pool/

Perhaps key in to the Web >Adana Quarto Printing Press running< very brief but perfect example of an earlier model being used, exactly as P.P.s, above.!

We use the, (earlier) expression because in Our Museum Print Shop, , , , Amberley West Sussex, U.K. on the Web, there are Several to be seen, one later example with 2 smaller rollers, in use EVERY DAY the Museum is open, set up with a a standing form, which includes Type, The Museums Logo, of course,!! The relevant Block/Plate of the Day,??

The volunteers invite the Children (And or The Mums and Dads) see below*** to print their own certificate but first ask the relevant Name(s) usually from a dedicated Random top, with hundreds of Names pre cast on the Ludlow, or Cast on the Spot, so that the Children, (Under Supervision) can watch their own name exit the Ludlow.… They actually print their own certificate, with a little help to push the impression lever down, the proof is hung on a ball clip to dry, and collected on exit.

Of the several machines in the Print Shop, (A.Q.s) One is in use as above, one is on standby for High days and Holidays,!!! 2/3 more possibly are stored for the future, unfortunately because the Museum is Heritage funded, equipment that has been donated is not normally sold on, but in the case of at least 2 being Very Very early. examples although being Metal Bound at strategic points are, WERE 90% Hardwood, probably even give Dundee,s Crocs a good going over.!!! or Woodworm akin to Piranhas.???

Maybe fire off an E mail via Briar Press lines of communication, might be able to help with a Roller.!!

*** The Children print their own certificates on the Adana Quarto, the BIG children Print their own, personalised Book markers etc.etc. on a Magnifcently Built (from scratch with original drawings in the Museum) COMMON PRESS, or occasionally on an Original Columbian Eagle
.
Good Luck. Mick. … But NOT Michael J. etc. etc.

I forgot, there are pages 43 - 50 onthis link.

http://users.bestweb.net/~bpress/manuals/adana_printing_made_easy.pdf