Images(4)

The "Dutch" Printing Press

Dateca. 1740 - 1760

OriginEngland or Europe, Netherlands

MediumWood, iron, steel, stone, brass, gut, and leather

DimensionsHeight: 79 5/8"; Length: 78 1/2"; Width: 36"

Credit LineGift of The American Type Founders

Object number1950-332

DescriptionMoveable type printing press, typical of those made in England. Its heavy wooden structure supports mechanical moving parts including a slab surmounted by the metal type form, and a wooden "platten," driven by a large, multi-threaded screw which generates the pressure needed to print.
Label TextThought to be English or Dutch, Colonial Williamsburg’s 18th century printing press had a fascinating history before it came into the collection in 1950. The earliest record of it suggests it may have been in use by the 1740s in Middleburg, a city in the Netherlands. By 1767 the press was being used by Isaac de Winter, who had just inherited it as part of a printing business from an unknown family member.

In 1780 de Winter sold it to Willem Abrahams, also of Middleburg, whose descendants remained in the profession into the 20th century. Many of the surviving 18th c. books by Abrahams were certainly printed on this press. Hailed as the oldest in the Netherlands, it was exhibited in the great procession held on the occasion of Queen Wilhemina’s (1880-1962) Coronation in 1898.

In 1912 the press was sold, along with Willem Abraham’s ledger, to the Typographic Library and Museum of the American Typefounders Company based in Elizabeth, New Jersey. In it is the record of Abraham’s purchase of the press from de Winter in 1780.

Two years after coming to the United States it was exhibited by its new owners at a printing exposition held at the Grand Central Palace in Manhattan, bestowing more star power onto the ancient press.

When the World’s Fair came to New York City in 1939 it again went on view, as part of The Cuneo Press’s exhibition, where it was used to demonstrate early printing. The following year the press was part of the exhibition celebrating the 500th anniversary of printing trade, held in Baltimore.

American Type Founders donated it to Colonial Williamsburg in 1950. It was then installed in the Historic Area’s Printing Office, where it was again put to use demonstrating 18th c. printing techniques for millions of enthralled visitors over the next four decades.

Finally replaced by a working reproduction in 1990, the “Dutch” press was permanently retired from use.
InscribedThe front of the head is incised with "18 - 39," which may be a date, though of unknown significance.
ProvenanceInherited by Isaac de Winter of Middleburg, Netherlands, from an unknown family member in 1767. Sold to Willem Abrahams, also of Middleburg, in 1780. Sold by Abraham's professional descendants to the American Typefounder's Company of Elizabeth, NJ in 1912. Donated to Colonial Williamsburg in 1950.