Envelope printing press

[printsmurf]

Does anyone know what make of press this is?



This envelope printing machine was one of the machine presses at the Bulaq Press and was was used to print all kinds of envelopes. It was renovated during the reign of Khedive Ismail.  It is present now in the Library of Alexandria.

[printsmurf]

I have found this, it looks as though the feed table is missing on the museum example

[printsmurf]

From Museums Victoria - Harris Envelope Printing Press
Copyright Museums Victoria / CC BY (Licensed as Attribution 4.0 International)

This is a letterpress printing press used for printing envelopes, manufactured by the Harris Automatic Press Company, the date of manufacture is unknown.

The machine holds a stereo plate and had been specifically built for stereo printing. Stereotyping is a process in which a whole page of type is cast in a single mold so that a printing plate can be made from it. Until the invention of the stereotype, printing type had to be reset if a second printing was to be made.

Operation
The machine has a small 'knock-up' table at the rear. A number of blank envelopes, say 200, was placed in the feed tray behind the cylinder. A mechanism pushed an envelope between the cylinders and it fed out onto the back circular table.

This press has a cylinder designed to hold a curved stereo plate. It is a rare surviving piece of printing machinery in that it could not be used with type. A rubber stereo, similar to a rubber stamp, is attached to the machine and carries the following:-
If not claimed within 7 days return to
Maternal and Child Welfare Branch
Department of Health
272-282 Queen Street
Melbourne, 3000

Significance
This press has a cylinder designed to hold a curved stereo plate. It is a rare surviving piece of printing machinery in that it could not be used with type.