2011.52.7

Thomson Universal/Colt's Armory Platen Press

unknown

Louisville, KY/American Printing House for the Blind

ca. 1931

Black-and-white glossy photo mounted to gray matboard with a black border; man in dark vest, white shirt, eyeglasses, and dark trousers stands with back to viewer with a Thompson platen press in the center of the shot, on the third floor of the 1923 western annex of the American Printing House for the Blind in Louisville, KY; a pair of braille embossing plates is held open in the jaws of the press, the operator's left hand removes a sheet of paper from the press as his right hand reaches for a fresh sheet from a stack pn a table to his right; a heavy curved stand supports a large flywheel on the right side of the press; an exposed drive belt is seen to the left; steam or hot water radiator on the wall; a series of four wooden three-paned sash windows visible with window shades mostly pulled down, light steams in the windows; painted brick walls with occasional poured concrete columns; electrical box labeled "Square D" visible in left foreground; in center background, in a corner of the building, a second man stands at a type case; he appears to be wearing an apron over vest, white shirt, and trousers; a Chandler & Price Platen Jobber Printing Press is arranged to the right of the type case; both presses have an oil cloth tacked beneath; bare light bulbs dangle from the ceiling.

overall: 10.5 x 8.5"

Photographic Paper on mat board

9.75 x 7.75"

Photograph was recovered from APH cafe, where it and others were used as decoration for many years.