Gray’s Printing Press

Gray's Printing Press was a print shop and stationers’ premises first established in the 1760s. Tradition holds that John Dunlap, printer of the American Declaration of Independence, served his apprenticeship at Gray's before emigrating to Philadelphia in 1756. James Wilson, grandfather of President Woodrow Wilson, also worked at Gray’s before he emigrated to America in 1807. Gray’s Printing Press is now operated by the National Trust and is staffed by local volunteers who provide tours and printing demonstrations to visitors. Although the presses in the collection postdate 1800, they provide a fascinating insight into traditional printing machinery and methods.

Collection

• Albion press

• Arab press, H.S. Cropper & Co, Nottingham, UK

• Columbian press

• Guillotine, W.E. Cook, London, UK

• Inking table

• Large press, H.S. Cropper & Co., Nottingham, UK

• Peerless platen press, Cropper, Charlton & Co. Ltd, Nottingham, UK

• Perforator, Finishing, Harrild & Sons, London, UK

• Platen, tabletop

• Stapler, Aug. Brehmer, London, UK