12.4 / Presses & Equipment

1957

No. 4 Proof Press

Bed: 15″ × 35″
From 1950 Vandercook and 1953 WNU catalogs:
Maximum sheet: 14¾” × 20″
Maximum form: 14″ × 18″
Floor space: 2’2″ × 6’6″

Weight: 1100 lb

Price (1955): $1965

For reproduction and test proofs. Power ink distribution, type high bed, traveling sheet delivery tray. Optional split vibrator and riders.

From 1957 Vandercook catalog:
“Over 5000 in use today … Now also suitable for producing fine transparent proofs by equipping it with the transparency feeding equipment. ” Evidently the 4T was included into this model.

Vandercook introduced the Handy Lockup Bar.

ATF Equipment catalog published. Shows Vandercook, Challenge-Potter, Hacker

Universal Series: 1958-76 I II, III, IV, V.

From 1968 Vandercook catalog:
“The wide range of optional equipment offered enables the presses to be equipped or ‘customized’ for your specific requirements — from manual to complete power operation.” Power driven inking and automatic wash-up are standard. Optional automatic delivery, ink monitor (on the I and III), variable-speed power cylinder, power grippers “for short run work”, adjustable bed — accurate to within .0002″, automatic register and vacuum plate bases, ink fountain, automatic frisket.

Harold Sterne comments:
The Universal series were quite popular with the paper mills for testing paper. There was a company in New England that made special attachments for those presses. At one time when they couldn’t find anymore Universals they asked us if we could have them built from our blueprints. We contacted a machine company in Cincinnati that had experience building presses and they wanted $50,000 each to build them in lots of 10. Could find no takers.

 

Universal I Hand Test Press 6/11/58 SN: 19329 – 2/5/76 SN: 30010

From Universal I Sales brochure (1971):
Bed: 15½” × 39
Maximum sheet: 15¼” × 24″
Maximum form: 13″ × 22
Floor space: 2’11” × 7’2″ (add 3″ for adjustable bed)
Net weight: 1200 lbs (add 500 lbs adjustable bed)

 

 

Universal I Power Test Press 6/11/58 SN: 19329 – 2/5/76 SN: 30010

From Universal I Sales brochure (1971):
Bed: 15½” × 39
Maximum sheet: 15¼” × 24″
Maximum form: 13″ × 22
Floor space: 2’11” × 7’2″ (add 3″ for adjustable bed)
Net weight: 1300 lbs (add 500 lbs adjustable bed & 150 lbs for power drives)

 

Universal II Hand and Power 5/20/58 SN: 18362 – 4/14/60 SN: 20284

Only 55 were manufactured. Features a swing-out feed board as on the 219 new Style and the 215.Takes the same 19″ positive lockup bar as the Universal III and 219. Note the two foot pedals on the power carriage press on the right.

 

No. 425 Short Run Press 9/16/58 SN: 19500 – 4/15/74 SN: 29819

From 1968 Vandercook catalog:

Maximum sheet: 24¾” × 27″

Power-operated (1200/hour), static eliminator, “newspaper equipment” for printing stereotypes without printing the chase.

“Ideally suited for newspapers, printers, and typesetters—and widely used for the printing of law and court briefs, full-page newspaper proofs, advertising reprints, and telephone intercept directories.”

From Fred Williams’s article in Type & Press:
Bed: 25″ × 45″
Maximum form: 24″ × 24½”
Floor space: 3’2″ × 9’3″ Weight: 4200 lb.

Vandercook begins a program of rebuilding presses and assigning new serial numbers.

1959  SN: 19489. RIP: 2, 325A Power, 32-28E.

Universal III Power Test Press /18/59 SN: 20133 – 6/26/74 SN: 29851

Part of the Universal series.

From 1971 Vandercook catalog:
Bed size: 19″ × 42½”
Maximum sheet: 18¾” × 28″
Maximum form: 18″ × 24
Floor space: 3’3″ × 8’4½” (add 3″ for adjustable bed)
Net weight: 1800 lbs (add 550 lbs for adjustable bed & 150 lbs for power drives)

If the last Universal III was manufactured in 1974, then it looks like they still had some unsold inventory in 1981. —M.W.

 

No. 13-28 12/31/59 SN: 20222 – 10/1/64 24322

1960  SN: 20123. RIP: 4, 14, 325G Power, 22, Universal II, 319.

No. 319 4/5/60 SN: 20210 – 7/5/60 SN: 20646

“… 18 × 24 sheet, electric impression s/n SN: 20646 … Self inking (adjustable). It runs on a ‘power saving’ 220V. This is a power press, not dissimilar to a Uni 1 with electric impression except it is operated from the rear, not the side. Up to 1000 impressions per hour…. $1950 obo.” This was the last 319 made.

Galley height. Under blanket: 18″ × 26½”. Takes the same form roller as Universal III.

 

 

No. Universal IV 7/29/60 SN: 20186 – 1/15/69 SN: 28185

From 1968 Vandercook catalog:

Maximum sheet: 32-7/8″ × 29½”.