Abandoned Intertype C4

I FOUND this C4 Intertype abandoned at an Historical Preservation Society in Pimpama, just 10 km (6 miles) from where I live.

I asked the Publicity Officer what he could tell me about the machine. He said it was before his time, but that they had owned a number of machines but the rest had been given away, along with all the spare parts.

The machine had been run forward just past the casting position and left there. The first elevator was rusted in this position. I managed to free the machine up and return it to the home position. I put power to machine, and was able to check that the motor ran, the pot drew power and the Mohr saw ran. The main drive belt was rotten and broke.

I checked the machine over and found a number of parts damaged or missing, along with the pot pump safety including the bracket. If I can’t get the replacement parts for the safety, the best I can hope to do is circulate mats. Checking the serial number gave me a shipping date of 1958.

I cleaned the machine up. Typed up a display placard, including a photo of the C4 and details about Linotype’s invention and when Intertype shipped their first machine and when the Society’s machine was shipped. I gave this to the Publicity Officer. He said he would have It laminated and placed on the machine, in time for an open weekend, they have coming up.

In the background of the photo you can see a printing press. It is a Printomatic High Speed Automatic Stop Cylinder Press, made by Soag Machinery Co. in Lambeth, London. It is in much the same condition as the C4.

I know absolutely nothing about printing presses, so I doubt if I can be of much help. There is no power in the area where the machines are located. I had to run an extension lead in to power up the Intertype. If I can get some information on the machine I’ll make a placard up for it too.

White Ant (Termite) Damage

In addition there are dozens of cases of handset type, but the cabinets have all been eaten out by white ants, a real problem in this part of the world. The cases have all collapsed down on top of one another.

The termites eat all the timber and leave a shell. As they do not come out into the daylight, unless you see the dirt they produce they go unnoticed until the structure collapses. They do not eat cedar or hardwood, so I assume the trays are made of cedar. Remove the type trays and the cabinet will collapse.

Intertype fan? Don’t miss the Intertype Chat section of the Metal Type Forum.