main presses
The basic design of this press is patterened after the early presses made of wood and which date back as far as the first press used by Gutenberg. The press as you see it now is the result of all refinements made to the basic design up to 1827, when Sam Rust of New York, improved and patented it. In 1835, Rust's patent came into the possession of the R. Hoe & Co. While under manufacture by this company the term Washington Hand Press came into being. The press works by parallell motion which brings the flat bed under the platen. Impression is then applied by a togal joint lever. Presses of this type were used as late as 1918, by photoengravers for proving of plates. This museum has three of these presses, all of which are from different manufacturers. The manufacturers are Cincinnati Type Foundry and Printing Machine Works, A. B. Taylor & Co., and R. Hoe & Co. Two presses were donated by Mr. Charles Palmer and the other by Heidelberg Pacific.
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