Columbian Printing Press

Description

Large cast iron hand press painted black and gold with a counterweight in the shape of an eagle. Invented in 1813 by the American George E. Clymer, the Columbian was one of the first iron printing presses. Clymer hoped that the press would encourage the foundation of newspapers in the “Wild West” of the United States. However, the weight of the press made it difficult to transport and it remained in use mainly in eastern American towns and cities. Clymer named his press “Columbian,” a reference to the explorer Christopher Columbus, due to his interest in all things American, and decorated the press with symbols of America, such as the eagle and Lady Liberty, and commerce, such as the caduceus and the dolphin.

Object Name(s): manual presses

Object Category: PRINTING MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT

Creator: J. Finsbury's, London

Production date: 1827

Linear Dimensions Depth: 196

Materials: iron
Material Part: body

Provenance Summary: Donated by the Walsh family, 2024. Previously owned by donors' father Patrick Walsh of Galtee Press, Mitchelstown.

Credit Line: National Print Museum, Dublin