Two Rare 19th-Century Printing Press by Établissements H. Jullien
Two remarkable survivors of early industrial printing, these Victorian‑era cast‑iron treadle‑operated presses was manufactured by Les Établissements H. Jullien of Brussels, one of Belgium’s leading makers of printing machinery in the late 19th century.
- Hand press
By the early 1800s, Lord Stanhope introduced the first fully cast‑iron, hand‑operated printing press. Its innovative lever mechanism reduced the force needed to pull an impression while allowing for a larger printing surface, effectively doubling the output of traditional wooden presses. The Stanhope press quickly became a benchmark across the industry, inspiring manufacturers throughout Europe and the United States to adopt the design and develop their own refined variants.
This model, produced by Les Établissements H. Jullien of Brussels and dating from around 1860, is a remarkably well‑preserved example of a Victorian‑era hand press. It underwent full renovation in the 1980s and operated until the early 1990s. It now stands as both a functional historical machine and a striking decorative object—equally at home in a spacious living room or in the lobby of a media, printing, or publishing company.
- Treadle-operated Liberty Platen-Type Printing Press
The Liberty Platen Press, originally invented and patented in New York in 1859 by Frederick Otto Degener and later produced by the Liberty Machine Works, became renowned for its speed, refined engineering, and distinctive open‑frame design. Widely exported and frequently emulated across Europe, it is regarded by printers and collectors as one of the most elegant and mechanically sophisticated platen presses of its era.
This example is an updated and technically enhanced interpretation of the Liberty design developed by Établissements H. Jullien in the 1890s. The press remains in working condition and underwent a full professional renovation in the early 1980s. It retains its original serial number plate: 8978.
Provenance
Both presses come from the estate of a noted Brussels‑based photographer, designer, and amateur typographer. Through his mother, the owner was a member of the distinguished Estienne family, direct descendants of Robert Estienne, one of the most influential humanist printers of the Renaissance.
He inherited the presses from his paternal grandmother, who had received them from her brother — editor‑in‑chief of Le Vingtième Siècle, the major Belgian newspaper where he hired Hergé in 1927 and published Les Aventures de Tintin starting in 1929. This association adds a rare cultural dimension to the presses’ historical significance.
These machines embody the craftsmanship and industrial artistry of a bygone era. Their cast‑iron frame, mechanical precision, and elegant proportions make it both a functional press and a compelling display piece. Combined with its distinguished provenance, it represents an exceptional opportunity for collectors, museums, and companies dedicated to publishing, printing, media, or European and Belgian cultural heritage.
The presses are currently located in Brussels, Belgium.
Enquiries
Email: mhennebert@googlemail.com