Help identifying my new press
Hello, I am new to this forumn and still navigating the website. I am also a new owner/lover of presses.
I recently bought this one which I think(?) Is a Young America 4x6. There is no date/mfg/patent/markings, other than one on the inside of the handle (attached picture). The initials look like ” A.T.W ” and I’m not sure what that might mean. Perhaps the company that cast the parts?
I’m halfway through cleaning it up and restoring it. It is missing the grippers and pawl. I’m working on the geometry to make a new pawl myself but I’m not sure on the specs for grippers.
Any help indentifying the press would be a amazing. Along with any other information/suggestions/tips for a new letterpress owner!
(I apologize if there are issues with my photos. I’m not sure if they are uploading properly.)
Thank you in advance.
Tom.
I believe you are correct. More specifically it is a Young America Circular. The “Circular” means it is a 4 x 6 size press. You measure inside the chase for the dimensions. It is an early press for sure. The manufacturing date would have been about 1875-? The ATW is interesting in that the makers last name was Watson. There was more than one Watson making presses, but, none with those initials. This info is from “Personal Impressions” by Elizabeth Harris.
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Thank you John! I knew it was 4x6”, but was just unsure about the maker/model and rough date of mfg.
The handle also looks different from the few pictures I have seen of young america 4x6’s. Does it look like these are all original parts? (Obviously aside from the rollers)
Do you know where I might be able to find more detailed information on it?
Specifically, I need to remake or find a pawl and pair of grippers.
It is always possible that the press isn’t all original parts. It’s been around a long time. That said, the handle doesn’t scream out to me as being odd. Press models often have different handles and the style on yours is not unusual at all for a small press. Many manufacturers use this style on a 4 x 6, and then switch to a stirrup handle on larger models. It can be really difficult to find info on many models to see how things were intended. I am not sure where you go to learn about the gripper system unless you can coax another owner of one to share photos. Same with the pawl. Study pictures of all small presses and you may learn a likely design.
Tom,
Your ability to capture an image is exemplary. We field our share of questions and images of those seeking advice. We most often respond by first requesting photos of presses and press hardware. Sadly the images are often lacking clarity, closeness or are painfully dim and many times back-lit. I appreciate your ability to … get it right.
Regards,
Tom
T and T Press Restoration
www.tandtpressrestoration.com
Thank you Ink Spot for the kind words! And John for the helpful information!
I’m so used to “newer” woodworking machines and tools (1940s+ ish) that I have restored or collected that are very particular to the patents and require original parts to be considered valuable. This is a new world to me.
I’m eagerly waiting for my copy of “personal impressions” to come in the mail. In the mean time I’ll just keep researching and developing these parts.