The Pearl Counter - New York, USA

[Dave Hughes]

View on eBay:
Golding Manufacturing Co. Printing Press The Pearl Counter*

Seller's description:

I believe this is a counter from a printing press from the early 1900's.  Counter does work when you press the lever.  Estate find.  Measures 8" wide.


This is all I can find on the company:


The Golding Manufacturing Company was a prominent producer of printing presses in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the "Pearl" was one of its most popular and enduring lines of presses.


Key details about the Golding Manufacturing Company and the Pearl press:


Founder and early history: William Golding established a printer's supply house in Boston in 1869. The business soon grew to include the manufacturing of printing presses.

The Pearl press: Introduced in 1871, the Golding Pearl was a small, floor-standing platen printing press. It was known for its quality, speed, and ease of use, becoming popular with both professional and amateur printers. The Pearl series went through several models, including the "Improved Pearl" introduced around 1895, which featured an impression throw-off lever.

A built-in counter: As specified in a 1907 Golding catalog, the Improved Pearl No. 11 included a counter as a standard feature, along with an ink fountain and other equipment.

End of the company: William Golding died in 1916, and the company was sold two years later to the American Type Founders (ATF). ATF continued to sell the Pearl presses through its Golding Press Division. In 1927, ATF sold its Golding inventory and manufacturing rights to another company, and production of the Golding presses eventually ended.

Legacy: Even after production ceased, the Pearl press remained in high demand among small printers and letterpress hobbyists. Many are still in use today.

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