Item 2 - Columbian printing press

Purchased from Mr Fearnside for £90 by The Observer in September 1969 as gift to David Astor on his 21st anniversary as editor. It was restored in 1969 by FW Woodroff and Co. Ltd. 137 Mile End Road, London, E1. David Astor gifted the press back to The Observer in 1991. See OBS/4/1/1/8 and OBS/6/1/1/2/2/8/1 for details. Not formally accessioned into the archive.

Columbian hand-printing press presented to David Astor on the occasion of his 21st anniversary as editor of The Observer.

Also contains 50 related printing items including letter blocks, a roller and composing sticks that are believed to have originally be used with the printing press and a three part stand.
Production place: [London, UK]
Materials: metal; wood
Colour: black; gold
Condition: Good
Dimensions: 60" x 42" x 76"
Completeness: Unknown
Inscription: Brass plate inscription: "Columbian Press, Number 1701, Edward Bevan, Late of Claymer Dixon & Co. manufacturer, 10 Finsbury Street, London, 1857."

Creator: Edward Bevan & Co.

Researcher access to objects is at the discretion of the archivists, and dependant on condition and current location.