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The "Ben Franklin" Gordon Press - Oldstyle

ANNOUNCEMENT

Peregrino Press has recently acquired a lovely Gordon platen press through a generous donation from the DesBrisay Museum, Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. This press was originally owned by Mr. Gordon Levy, a typesetter at the Halifax Chronicle-Herald during the early 1900s who later set up an independent printing business. Upon the death of Mr. Levy, his family donated it to the DesBrisay Museum along with type cabinet and sundries, where it stayed for the next 20 years. In an effort to conserve limited resources and space, the Museum sought an appropriate new home for the press. Peregrino Press is grateful to put the Gordon back to work!
Nameplate

IN 1851, GEORGE PHINEAS GORDON, a New Yorker, patented the first of his platen jobbers. This design formed the basis of almost every floor-model platen jobber to follow, becoming the single most famous and influential jobbing press of the nineteenth century. The platen jobber speeded the production of large runs, and by 1894, numerous firms were manufacturing Gordon or Gordon-style jobbers, under such names as Baltimore, Challenge, Clipper, Eclipse, Favorite, Jones, Leader, Minerva, Samson, Star, Thorpe, Universal, and Washington. (See also the Damon & Peets 8x12, Golding Jobber No.6, Pearl Improved, and Prouty, Perfected.)

The Franklin, so named because Gordon claimed that Ben Franklin had described it to him in a dream, should not be confused with the Franklin common press, an early wooden hand press from Franklin's own shop.

The primary features of the Gordon Franklin are the vertical or slightly sloping bed; inking from rollers automatically connected with the motions of the platen; and a rotating ink disc that provided a new surface for the rollers every time they reached it, thus distributing the ink more evenly.

Gordon added further improvements to his design in 1872, hinging the platen and bed together, and incorporating a throw-off.

In 1901, Chandler & Price bought the old Gordon works and the right to use the name 'Gordon' though they had been building a near-copy of the Gordon Franklin since 1886, the C & P Oldstyle.

Gordon Gordon Gordon

THE AMERICAN TYPE FOUNDERS Co., in ad copy from their 1898 catalogue described the Gorden Press as:

A most popular press, and over 8000 are in use. It is heavy and strong, constructed upon scientific priciples that ensure its running easily, quietly and as quickly as is possible to feed, without rocking or undue wear. It is built to withstand both use and abuse. The side arms and shaft are made of forged steel, without seam or weld. The cam roller is made of hardened tool steel. Impression throwoff is positive and easy to operate. The grippers are depressible, and cannot get under the rollers. The chase clamp is safe and instantaneous. The horizontal platen, with long rest, permits rapid and accurate feeding. The press is highly recommended as an all-around, reliable machine, and a sure money-maker in any printing office. With each press there are 3 chases, one brayer, 2 sets of roller stocks, two wrenches and one roller mould. No charge for boxing and shipping.