Albion Press

Description

Around 1820, the Albion Press was invented by Richard Whittaker Cope in England (“Albion” is the oldest known name for the island of Great Britain). The press does not have a counter-balance mechanism, which makes it lighter and more portable than earlier iron presses but more difficult to operate. The Albion press was mostly used for proofing and private commercial work. It was often operated by young apprentices and women. This particular Albion is a rather early example, dating from around 1824, just four years after it was invented.

Object Name(s): manual presses

Object Category: PRINTING MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT

Creator: Hopkinson & Cope, London

Production date: c. 1824

Linear Dimensions Depth: 190

Materials: metal
Material Part: body

Credit Line: National Print Museum, Dublin