Johann Gietz & Co proofpress

I’m looking for more information on a proof press that was built by the Swiss firm of Johann Gietz & Co. Although the company is still in business, they can’t help me as they don’t have any records left. Apparently they still hold spare parts, but in order to get the parts that are missing from the press, photos or a manual of an identical press would be handy.

image: gietz_press.JPG

gietz_press.JPG

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Dafi Kühne, who developed the Swiss made F.A.G. proof press website, may have some information. http://proofpress.ch/

Gietz is not listed in the 1961 or 1967 edition of the [British Printer] Specification Manual of Printing Machinery.

I have compiled a list of 37 brands of proof presses—-38 including Vandercook, but this one is new to me so I’m happy to include a 39th.
http://vandercookpress.info/vanderblog/other-brand-list/

Gietz also made parallel-impression platens of high quality later than any other manufacturer, I think into the ’60s. Cutters continued in production.

And the Gietz company is still in business, building printing and foil presses. But sadly enough, no records or manuals.

Paul: I’ll send you some photos for the ‘other brand’ census before too long.

I have looked at various old specification manuals I have and the only reference I have found to Gietz is under Auto Platens as the above post says a Parallel impression model but it does state at the end that the UK Supplier was Soldans Ltd.so they may have supplied these proof presses rebadged with their name, if you can put a full size picture of your press I may be able to see if any Soldan presses match it, regards John.

Here are two pictures of the press itself. It’s in working condition, but the grippers don’t open automatically or with a lever, several parts at the upper part of the press seem to be missing.
Gietz produced the Presto platen press, here’s some history: http://www.gietz.com/history.html

image: gietz_press_2.JPG

gietz_press_2.JPG

image: gietz_press_1.JPG

gietz_press_1.JPG

No luck with the Soldan presses the nearest one with your type of frame is The Robel Lightning but that does not help you. I hope you find what you are looking for regards John.

Yeah, that is in the style of the Lightning hand cylinder and Soldans was one of the makers.

If you want to see a lightning proof press similar to yours they have one in The John Jarrold Print Museum in Norwich, UK., if you google gridula and look at his photostream on Flickr he has put some nice pictures of one and you can compare for yourself.

John.