Mackenzie Printery & Newspaper Museum

Albion Iron Hand Press

The Albion press is a model of early iron hand printing press, originally designed and manufactured in London by Richard Whittaker Cope (d. 1828?) around 1820.
The Albion press worked by a simple toggle action, unlike the complex lever-mechanism of the Columbian press and the Stanhope press. Albions continued to be manufactured, in a range of sizes, until the 1930s. They were used for commercial book-printing until the middle of the nineteenth century, and thereafter chiefly for proofing, jobbing work and by private presses.
Our press is a Hopkinson & Cope model, dating to about 1863.

"Baby" Albion Press

After emigrating to Canada in 1957, Guy practised in Bassano, Alberta and in Parry Sound and Hagersville, Ontario. From 1965 until his retirement in 1989, he worked as a surgeon at the Hotel Dieu and the General Hospital in St. Catharines. In 1990 the Ontario Medical Association gave him the Glen Sawyer Award.

Guy was a gifted artist. His surgical notes were often embellished by meticulous medical drawings. But it was wood engraving, printing and the art of the book plate that captured his imagination and heart. Many of his works have been exhibited in Canada, the U.K. and Japan and are included in various publications. He printed all of his work on his 1862 Albion press which was donated to the MacKenzie Printery after his death in 2002.

1857 R. Hoe & Co. rolling pin style proof press and stand donated by Roy Gurney.

End plate of the Hoe Proofing press.

Westman & Baker Platen Press

Westman & Baker were engineers and machinists in Toronto, Ontario, from 1874 until 1922. Westman & Baker's most popular products were printing presses and paper cutters.

This Westman & Baker Platen press,made in Toronto, was donated to the museum in 1982 by Ray Forrester of the Orono Weekly Times. It is a 10 x 15" platen press.

Westman & Baker Paper Cutter

Westman & Baker were engineers and machinists in Toronto, Ontario, from 1874 until 1922. Westman & Baker's most popular products were printing presses and paper cutters.

Type Cabinets

Vintage type cabinets made by the Hamilton Mfg. Co. hold many fonts of moveable metal and wooden type.

Antique Turtle

The turtle was originally used to move heavy galleys of metal type from the compositer to the press. Now we use it to hold the ink and brayer for printing on the Albion Iron Hand press.

Small Artifacts

Wooden type planers, oil and solvent cans, mechanical counters and other small artifacts were important tools for early printers.

North Room