Potter Cylinder Press, 1879-1893

01

Artifact Overview

Large cylinder presses were typically used to print newspapers. A curved printing plate attached to the drum rolled over the flat paper surface, leaving an impression behind. Designed for higher capacity than smaller platen hand presses, cylinder and rotary presses produced thousands of copies per hour. This particular press was used to print the Rhode Island Pendulum.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Printing press

Date Made

1879-1893

Creator Notes

Made by C. Potter Jr. & Company in Plainfield, New Jersey. Patented by Charles Potter, Jr.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

29.1567.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Cast iron
Wood (Plant material)

Dimensions

Height: 68.25 in
Width: 88 in
Depth: 121 in

Inscriptions

right side cylinder bracket: C. POTTER JR'S PATENTS 1867 support brackets on either side: C. POTTER JR. & CO. NEW YORK front, near bottom: C. POTTER JR. & CO. NEW YORK