edinburghcityofprint
'Davos' hand operated printing press
Accession Number: LSH 0090/91
Description: Hand operated printing press known as the 'Davos Press'. The press stands on a mahogany base; the frame is painted dark blue enhanced with double gold painted lines, the handle is painted orange / red colour. This machine can print an area about 6 inches by 4 inches on single sheets of paper or card, using rollers and a set of printers' type
Further Notes: This press was first used by Robert Louis Stevenson's stepson, Samuel Lloyd Osbourne in San Francisco and taken to Silverado in May 1880. It was then taken to Edinburgh and to Switzerland, in 1880 - 1, where, at Davos, it was used by Lloyd to supplement the family income by printing numerous small orders such as invitation cards, announcements and the programme for the weekly concerts at the Hotel Belvedere where they were staying. Lloyd write the story 'Black Canyon' or 'Life in the Wild West' which he printed as a small booklet. This was followed by short poems and woodcuts 'submitted by Stevenson including 'Moral Emblems'. The Press was brought back to 17 Heriot Row, Edinburgh but broke down and the last booklet 'The Graver and the Pen' had to be printed commercially in Kingussie.
History: This printing press was gifted to the Robert Louis Stevenson Club in 1932 and was exhibited in their head office in Howard Place, Edinburgh. It is currently on display at the Writers' Museum, Lady Stair's Close, Edinburgh.
Edinburgh City of Print is a joint project between City of Edinburgh Museums and the Scottish Archive of Print and Publishing History Records (SAPPHIRE). The project aims to catalogue and make accessible the wealth of printing collections held by City of Edinburgh Museums. For more information about the project please visit www.edinburghcityofprint.org
'Davos' hand operated printing press
Accession Number: LSH 0090/91
Description: Hand operated printing press known as the 'Davos Press'. The press stands on a mahogany base; the frame is painted dark blue enhanced with double gold painted lines, the handle is painted orange / red colour. This machine can print an area about 6 inches by 4 inches on single sheets of paper or card, using rollers and a set of printers' type
Further Notes: This press was first used by Robert Louis Stevenson's stepson, Samuel Lloyd Osbourne in San Francisco and taken to Silverado in May 1880. It was then taken to Edinburgh and to Switzerland, in 1880 - 1, where, at Davos, it was used by Lloyd to supplement the family income by printing numerous small orders such as invitation cards, announcements and the programme for the weekly concerts at the Hotel Belvedere where they were staying. Lloyd write the story 'Black Canyon' or 'Life in the Wild West' which he printed as a small booklet. This was followed by short poems and woodcuts 'submitted by Stevenson including 'Moral Emblems'. The Press was brought back to 17 Heriot Row, Edinburgh but broke down and the last booklet 'The Graver and the Pen' had to be printed commercially in Kingussie.
History: This printing press was gifted to the Robert Louis Stevenson Club in 1932 and was exhibited in their head office in Howard Place, Edinburgh. It is currently on display at the Writers' Museum, Lady Stair's Close, Edinburgh.
Edinburgh City of Print is a joint project between City of Edinburgh Museums and the Scottish Archive of Print and Publishing History Records (SAPPHIRE). The project aims to catalogue and make accessible the wealth of printing collections held by City of Edinburgh Museums. For more information about the project please visit www.edinburghcityofprint.org