The search by Appleton for the oldest printing presses among carbonless sheet printing businesses uncovered some true antiques, some of which are still in use as pieces of living history.

Appleton manufactures NCR PAPER* brand carbonless and asked carbonless sheet printers to submit pictures and stories about the oldest presses in their shops. The presses could be working or not. The only qualifier was that they be "Old."

"Sheet printers are very entrepreneurial craftsmen and proud about hanging onto equipment whether it runs or not," said Jenny Boone, marketing director, carbonless papers, with Appleton. "We thought it would be interesting to find out what pieces of printing history carbonless printers have and what they would be willing to share about it.

"We uncovered some equipment dating back to before the turn of the last century. It appears printers leverage their resourcefulness and pride of heritage by hanging onto equipment manufactured long before they were born."

Winners were segmented into three categories: Oldest Press, Oldest Press Still Running, and Oldest Press Using NCR PAPER* Brand Carbonless. 

The "Oldest Press" honors go to Rob Hill, Printing USA, of Orlando, Fla., for his Washington Hand Press, Model No. 6, made by R. HOE & COMPANY, circa 1849. The unit is on permanent display in the shop’s lobby. This model was one of the largest presses of this type manufactured by Hoe. The bed size is 29.5 inches by 46 inches.

According to Hill, the press was uncovered in a little-used storage basement of the former Wistar Institute Press on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. The press was in use until 1910.

"The press is the center of attention in my lobby," Hill said. "When a customer or school field trip visits my shop, it reminds everyone just how far we’ve advanced since this press was made."

The "Oldest Press Still Running" winner is Anthony Spitzer from Kalona Graphics, Kalona, Iowa. His entry is an 1872 Gordon Franklin platen that has been retrofitted with an electric motor.

"I still use the press for some numbering and perforating work, as well as imprinting folders," Spitzer said. "It’s hand-fed and foot-pedal powered for some jobs. I need a radio/CD player to help keep a rhythm going to operate it. It can be quite a workout."

The winner of the "Oldest Press Using NCR PAPER* Brand Carbonless" category is Lynn Griffith from Quiz Graphic Arts Inc., Ord, Neb. The entry is a Chandler and Price Co. platen jobber press, often referred to as a "snapper." According to Hill, the press was purchased new shortly after the company was founded in 1882.

"I’ve been here 42 years and have employees that have been here 47 years," Hill said. "This press was old when they started. We do crash numbering of all our NCR PAPER brand jobs on it. We also do perforating on it, as we do a lot of three- and four-part NCR PAPER sales- and invoice-type books for trucking companies."

An "Honorable Mention" award was also given to Jon Ryan of Pioneer Publishing Inc., Friend, Neb., for submitting Team Appleton’s first-ever YouTube video. This very creative entry showed Pioneer Publishing’s post-WWII Chandler and Price letterpress that is still in service. To view the video, go to www.teamappleton.com.

"The response to our contest confirms that carbonless sheet printers are very proud of their heritage and craftsmanship," Boone said. "It’s great to see printing equipment that’s over 130 years old and still relevant in the right hands."

The contest was part of Appleton’s ongoing "Team Appleton" efforts targeted exclusively at carbonless sheet printers who offer insight and feedback in an effort to help meet challenges and take advantage of opportunities in the printing industry. Each of the four winners received a Sharp® Electronics 250W Mini Component Stereo System with 5-disc CD changer and cassette tape player.