Westman & Baker Platen Press with pulley

Hi learned friends,

The museum where I work recently acquired a down-on-its-luck Westman & Baker platen press (11 x 15): it’s missing its ink disk and assembly, rollers, bales, grippers - and probably a few more things to boot. It’s a relatively rare Canadian press, and we are considering investing in some TLC.

To do this we will need to identify the model and year of the press - and so to start our research, I’m turning to you. On the hinges beneath the platen, i’ve found 2 numbers: 371 (on the left hinge) and 37 (on the right — see image attached). Is this a serial or model number?

Also, the press is designed to be operated through a drive belt and pulley; there is no treadle.

I’ve been searching through some editions of the periodical “Canadian Printer and Publisher,” but with little results. I’ll be heading over to the National Science and Tech museum next week to consult their treadle version, but I’m also hoping that one of you Westman & Baker owners can share your knowledge - and point me in the right direction.

Kind regards,
Sue

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