A. G. Print Press - What was it used for?

Jon Shiu · Apr 30, 2019

Picked up this interesting press. I'm wondering what it was used for. There are 3 groups of holes that go all the way through the top board. Label says A. G. PRINT PRESS MANUFACTURED BY PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS SUPPLY CO. NEW YORK. Measures 12 x 15 inches. Opens to 3 inches. Seems like a really sturdy and professional device. Any info would be appreciated.

Peter Schrager · Apr 30, 2019

Waffle maker

RalphLambrecht · Apr 30, 2019

Jon Shiu said:
Picked up this interesting press. I'm wondering what it was used for. There are 3 groups of holes that go all the way through the top board. Label says A. G. PRINT PRESS MANUFACTURED BY PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS SUPPLY CO. NEW YORK. Measures 12 x 15 inches. Opens to 3 inches. Seems like a really sturdy and professional device. Any info would be appreciated.
View attachment 222666 View attachment 222667 View attachment 222668 View attachment 222669

was used to laminate prints to mount board aka 'cold press' later available with a heated platen as 'dry mount press'.

RalphLambrecht · Apr 30, 2019

Peter Schrager said:
Waffle maker

are you selling it?

Jon Shiu · Apr 30, 2019

What are the 9 holes that go through the top for? What does A. G. stand for?

mshchem · May 1, 2019

These were also used to "plate sink" photographs. Early on thin POP paper was used. The studios mounted everything on cards. A plate (sometimes glass) was first used on the mount, pressed down hard enough with this or a book press to impress the mount. Then the print paste, sometimes gelatin based was put on the paper, laid on the mount, a card similar to the glass in dimension was placed over the print and the press closed tight until it set.
I think that the holes may have held registration pegs for standard mount sizes. This looks late 19th century to me. I have some beautiful prints on cards of my GGgrandfather the civil war veteran, that if he was anything like me, hid better than most.

removed account4 · May 1, 2019

It can be used to make FB prints flat. As you might have thought, you put the prints between 2 matte boards when they are 99% dry and turn the screw. they are similar to a "nipping press" used in book binding. (Also used to keep things flat &c. )
are you selling it ?

ced · May 1, 2019

Jon Shiu said:
What does A. G. stand for?

Aktiengesellschaft

MattiS · May 1, 2019

I doubt that. If an „Aktiengesellschaft“ would be meant, it would appear on the label as „Photographic Art Supply AG“.

Jon Shiu · May 1, 2019

Thanks all. I can see now where pins could be position cards in the press. The cards would about 9 inches, 4.5 inches, 3 inches.

AgX · May 1, 2019

ced said:
Aktiengesellschaft

-) AG in Germany was/is located at the end of name
-) german company names are written in German
-) there is already a company name in Englisch, with CO at its end

Arklatexian · May 1, 2019

RalphLambrecht said:
was used to laminate prints to mount board aka 'cold press' later available with a heated platen as 'dry mount press'.

+1

ced · May 2, 2019

"AG" is all about banter, you guys are so uptight...

AgX · May 2, 2019

Allez, ik heb altijd zin in en babbeltje...

Peter Schrager · May 2, 2019

Taco maker??

jim10219 · May 2, 2019

I had no idea plywood was that old!

John Koehrer · May 5, 2019

Once upon a time it was just a little acorn.

A. G. Print Press - What was it used for?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency