Northcliffe House, 1980s

Another batch of pictures, sent in by Ken Flemington. Says Ken: “They were taken at Northcliffe House, home of the Daily Mail, where we were printing the Sunday People. They were taken in June 1986 and I am in one of the photos. I will also include one of me using a Polymer platemaking machine which replaced hot metal at Holborn for the short period before closure in 1988.

“I hope the readers enjoy these photos as much as I enjoy the other photos of printers and printing on your excellent site. Sadly this is all I have.”

Preparing moulds — Malcom Watts preparing the moulds for Sunday People June 1986 at Nortcliffe House matrix dryer in background.

M.A.N casting machine — M.A.N. casting machine. These were not as effective as the Autoplate Autocasters used at Holborn but needed less men.

MAN casting machine with casting box open. Plate is cast on the curved ribbed portion Northcliffe House June 1986.

Ken Flemington (that’s me) setting the mould ready to cast plates. MAN caster June 1986.

Checking the finished plates, old plates stacked on trolleys ready for remelting.

Marking plates — Marking the page number on the plate for easy recognition in the machine room.

Old plate recycled — Old plate being put back in metal pot for melting down and reuse June 1986.

Conveyor belt — Putting plate on conveyor for transport to machine room.

Printing Sunday Mirror — Sunday Mirror printing Northcliffe House June 1986.

Polymer platemaker — Off topic, but one of Ken Flemington (me) on polymer Platemaker. This process replaced hot metal until Holborn closed down in 1988. Many stereotypers were made redundant at this time.

I don’t think this site would be quite so popular if it was called “Polymer Type”! – Ed.

Editor’s Highlights . . .

Printle: A Word Puzzle for Printers Try our word puzzle – there’s a new one every week.
German “new line” linecasters The story of the most advanced linecasters ever made, with illustrations of all models.
British Print Trade Union Cards – A unique collection of typographically exquisite membership cards from Dave Bowles.
Glossary of Printing Trade Terms – George Clark’s list sheds light on a whole new language!
The Whittaker Collection – Photographs of this definitive collection of linecasters stored at the UK’s Manchester Science Museum.
Banging Out – Fleet Street Remembered -Video documentary about the UK national newspaper industry.
Farewell etaoin shrdlu – A look at the production of the last hot metal New York Times.

Northcliffe House, 1980s

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