Early 19th Century Printer's Paper Press

2107-1663 (Click to Inquire About This Item)

85H x 34.5W x 22D

Location: Baton Rouge

$3,700

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Early 19th Century Printer's Paper Press is a superlative artifact from a bygone era, that will provide storage like a chest of drawers, an intriguing table surface, and the start of many interesting conversations!  Two centuries ago paper was not as refined as we enjoy today, and once a press imprinted ink on the paper, it would curl and wrinkle up unless it was pressed into a device like this, designed to flatten the paper until the ink fully dried, and keep it tightly pressed indefinitely until ready to be removed.  Using the same devices that a grape harvester would recognize, or even a bosun's mate about to raise anchor, the central shaft was carved with spiral screw threads and fitted with a brass-reinforced capstan into which a squared dowel would be inserted allowing leverage to raise or lower the press.  Extra paper would be housed in the attractively accented drawers below, each fitted with embossed brass pulls and a key guard.  For today's usage, one can easily take advantage of the drawers' storage capabilities, while having an interesting table surface above.  The design possibilities are numerous!
Circa 1830s
Measures 85H x 34.5W x 22D