Summary
The Melbourne Advertiser, the first Melbourne newspaper, was printed on this press in 1838.
The publisher, John Pascoe Fawkner, was an entrepreneur taking advantage of opportunities presented by the young colony of Victoria. In a competitive climate, he was anxious to be the first to establish a newspaper. Fawkner obtained the press just before the production of the 10th edition. In his haste to publish, previous editions of his paper had been handwritten.
The press, believed to date from the first half of the 18th century, was replaced with a more efficient model in 1840.
Physical Description
Printing press; a wooden standing mechanism with a movable tray to hold type held in a frame, with manually operated screw mechanism.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from State Library of Victoria (SLV)
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Past Owner or User
Mr. John P. Fawkner, Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1838
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Past Owner or User
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
1660 mm (Length), 920 mm (Width), 2090 mm (Height)
Dimensions measured in reconfigured state. Width includes top beam. Width of frame uprights alone is 786 mm.
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Other Dimensions
610 mm (Length), 460 mm (Width), 75 mm (Height)
Internal dimensions of coffin (area where printing block sits). Coffin height is 101 mm, with metal bracket.
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Other Dimensions
880 mm (Length)
Length of section under Coffin from uprights.
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Other Dimensions
540 mm (Length), 646 mm (Height)
Dimensions of section on opposite side to Coffin from uprights.
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Other Dimensions
510 mm (Length)
Dimensions of Handle furthest from uprights.
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References
HUBBER, BRIAN. THE FAWKNER PRINTING PRESS: A PROVENANCE STUDY. LA TROBE LIBRARY JOURNAL NO. 57 AUTUMN 1996 PP. 15-25. [Link 1] accessed 9 October 2008 Melbourne Advertiser first printed edition (#10)
[Journal] Hubber, Brian. The Fawkner printing press: a provenance study., 15 - 25 Pages
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Keywords
Exhibitions: Melbourne Intercolonial, Australasian, 1866-1867, Printing, Printing Equipment, Printing Presses
