Cropper Charlton Franklin Press

Description

In the mid-1800s, an American printer and press designer named George Gordon came up with a new and very influential style of platen press. He claimed that Benjamin Frankin had come to him in a dream and outlined the design, and so he named the press the "Franklin" in his honour, but it was often known as the "Gordon Jobber". After a number of years, other manufactureers saw the success of this press and began making their own versions. The London-based company of Cropper Charlton & Co. made both the Minerva Press, and their own Franklin Press based on Gordon's designs. This is the lower portion of one of Cropper Charlton's Franklin Presses, with the upper part also in the Museum's collection (NPM.2012.9.2).

Object Name(s): treadle presses

Object Category: PRINTING MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT

Creator: Cropper, Charlton & Co. Ltd., London & Nottingham

Production date: c. 1893-1939

Linear Dimensions Depth: 82

Materials: metal
Material Part: body

Provenance Summary: Donated by Michael Séan Walker, 128 Meadow Mount, Churchtown, Dublin 16

Credit Line: National Print Museum, Dublin