Chandler and Price Press Identification

another view

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Julissa,

It is hard to tell the overall condition from the pictures but it is a NS (New Style) Chandler & Price Press.
The press appears to be in good condition, but it is hard to tell. The fact that it has a flywheel with a belt on the right side indicates that it was or is motorized. This can be good or bad for a beginner. There is no treadle to pump the press by foot. Having a treadle and being able to control the press speed by your own effort is helpful, especially for a newbie.

By looking at the shaft that runs across between the two flywheels, you can determine if it will accept a treadle. If it has a “U” shaped bend in the center, it will accept a treadle. (see pix)

You will be able to determine the age of the press by looking for the serial number, which will be in the top left corner of the bed. (See attached pix) Here is a link to match the serial number and find out when it was built and what size it is. https://www.greendolphinpress.com/letterpress-faq.html#3.04

To see if the press is worth your effort, remove the belt from the right flywheel and spin the press by hand with the left flywheel. There is an oil can in the pix, hopefully it has been oiled regularly. Put some oil in as many oil holes as you can find, then rotate the press by hand. If it spins freely and nothing is jamming it, it’s probably fine. Prices vary from free to $2,500. Its value to you is based solely on the effort required to retrieve, move, and place it in its new home.

If it is an 8 x 12, it will be a wonderful press for a beginner or even a seasoned letterpress aficionado. If it is a 10 x15, or larger, it will take some getting used to.

Where are you located, and what is the cost of the press? The ease of removal greatly drives the dollar value.

If you want to discuss further, you can contact me at
[email protected]

SouthpawPrinters.com

C & P crankshaft.jpeg

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Pix of C&P Crankshaft with a “U” bend.

C & P crankshaft.jpeg

sorry pix didn’t go up.

C & P crankshaft.jpeg

From your picture, New Series 8 x 12 ca. 1925

Thank you for taking the time to respond Steve. Your input is very helpful.
In one of the pictures there is a switch visible, so i think it has a motor. I can also see a pedal on the left side, i thought that was the treadle, if it is not, then what is the pedal for? I am attaching a marked up picture where i will circled the pedal and the switch.
The press is about 15miles from my home, i will have a chance to see it in a few days, they ask $1500.

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The pedal on the left side is a brake.

Here is a treadle-driven press of similar size offered for $600 CA.
Granted, it is in Canada, but there are presses out there.
Unless this is an easy move, i.e., pick up and delivery $1,500, and the clean up sounds like you might want to pass.
Again, depending on where you are you will likely find a cleaner press and other letterpress accoutrements for less.

PS- the switch located under the feed board most likely turns on the motor, but it doesn’t appear to have any speed control option.
https://www.facebook.com/commerce/listing/903339318696055/?ref=share_att...

Nice press, I have the same thing, an 8x12 from 1906, but $1500 seems a bit expensive. FWIW, I paid $200 many years ago, it was one of those “take it or it is scrap” deals. I would look around for a while, it also depends where you are located. On-line asking prices may differ greatly from what is actually paid. Maybe start negotiating at $500?
The press I got was on the second floor of an old newspaper (the Collingwood Examiner). It was taken mostly apart and moved with just two people. You will probably want new rollers, however, these are available. The extra chases are a plus. As mentioned, check to see if it moves freely. My press was seized because the operators used the motor and did not lubricate it regularly. Look for any broken castings. The flywheel on the right may not be original. There is a bracket on the lower left side that would have held the throw-off lever, to shift two steam pulleys.

Would be helpful to see more photos. How is the motor mounted? Is it 110v, 220v? Single phase?

Someone left the rollers setting on the ink disk - the rollers are likely ruined if they sat there for long. New or re-cast rollers can be obtained. Consider that extra cost when purchasing the press.

Is the press on a ground floor with easy exit access for flatbed loading? How will you move the press?

$1500 is out of the question. And $500 is high, but may be reasonable if the condition is good.

Good luck with your search for a press.

Michael

If anyone else is looking I have 8x12 C&P’s as well as similar unmarked presses for sale at *very* reasonable prices at the Museum of Printing in Haverhill, MA.

If anyone else is looking I have 8x12 C&P’s as well as similar unmarked presses for sale at *very* reasonable prices at the Museum of Printing in Haverhill, MA.