* Printing/blocking press. A Hopkinson Albion Press, 1847

* Printing/blocking press. A Hopkinson Albion Press, 1847, for benchtop operation with horizontal lever, currently converted for use as a blocking press with electric heating element (requires rewiring & appropriate updating), cast iron manufacturers name to frame "Hopkinson & Cope, Finsbury, London", with brass finial and engraved maker's details " Hopkinson's No. 2199 Albion Press 1847", height approximately 115 cm (45.25 in), with three non-original chases 5 x 10 cm (2 x 4 in), 13 x 8 cm (5 x 3.25 in), and 21 x 8 cm (8.25 3.25 in), together with:Type, A good selection of hot foil type, including sizes 10pt, 12pt, 14pt & 24pt, with quads, spacers for 6pt, 8pt, 10pt, 12pt, 14pt, 16pt & 24pt, plus a small selection of decorative zinco blocks and punches, gold blocking foils, together with a pair of shears and small Dryad bench standing board chopper Qty: (-) NOTES The Albion Press was the invention of Richard Whittaker Cope of London, who is thought to have assisted George Clymer, maker of the Columbian Press. The date of the invention of the Albion press is not known, but the first record of the press dates from 1822, when some Albion presses were imported into France. The Albion had a different form of toggle levers from American presses, and a large spring on top of the press for the return of the platen. Cope died in 1828. J. & J. Barrett were Cope's executors and carried on business under the direction of John Hopkinson, Cope's foreman. For ten years all three names were cast into the press, but after 1840 the style became simply “Hopkinson & Cope.” Hopkinson introduced some improvements, notably the modification of the toggle form and the addition of the word “Patent” (a claim apparently without foundation). Hopkinson became a partner in the business and on his death in 1864 the business was handed back to Cope’s son, James Cope. This press, which has been converted for use as a blocking press requires rewiring & appropriate updating prior to continuing use as a blocking press. It could also be converted back to its original state as a printing press, although several parts would need to be sourced to make this possible.