Franklin electrostatic printing press
Date1800-1850
Inventory NumberDW0352b
ClassificationElectrostatic Printing Press
Subject
Maker
French
Cultural Region
Dimensions1.3 × 13.2 × 18.3 cm (1/2 × 5 3/16 × 7 3/16 in.)
box: 3.8 × 30.6 × 18.5 cm (1 1/2 × 12 1/16 × 7 5/16 in.)
box: 3.8 × 30.6 × 18.5 cm (1 1/2 × 12 1/16 × 7 5/16 in.)
Material
AccessoriesFrench stencil
DescriptionTwo oval pieces of wood. The bottom one is equipped with two vertical threaded rods. The top piece has holes fitting the rods. It is fixed in place with two wingnut screws.
A small picture clamped inside the press is marked in reverse stencil lettering: "FRANKLIN PEINT PAR LA FOUDRE".
A small picture clamped inside the press is marked in reverse stencil lettering: "FRANKLIN PEINT PAR LA FOUDRE".
Signedunsigned
FunctionThe principle is simple. First, put on the bottom block a large enough piece of gold leaf. Over it, put a cut-out picture of Franklin (or anything else) and over the latter, a piece of silk. Finally, set the top wooden block over this arrangement and set it tight with the wingnuts. Send a strong electrical discharge through the block. Particles of gold will evaporate from the heat created by the electricity, go through the cut-out image, and be fixed on the silk.
For this experience, see the description given in an 1863 French textbook here.
For this experience, see the description given in an 1863 French textbook here.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from Alain Brieux, Paris, May 3, 1968 (lot 31/5).
French
Date: 1800-1850
Accessories: French stencil
Object number: DW0352a
Percy Williams Bridgman
Date: 1924-1937
Accessories: cardboard box of spare parts; rubber tube; yellow hand pump; metal wire; torque wrench; wrenches (3); 1 CD; 1 audio cassette; 1 user's manual; 1 graph
Object number: 2004-1-0404
Percy Williams Bridgman
Date: circa 1938
Accessories: one bolt protector; one attachment; two large bolts, black and white photographs (C6-G1). Parts can be found in drawer B11-I8. Bridgman Press Manual (copy) in instrument file folder
Object number: 1997-1-1819a
Percy Williams Bridgman
Date: circa 1924
Accessories: high-pressure compressing chamber
Object number: 1997-1-1819d
Eastman Kodak Company
Date: 1920-1940
Accessories: papers; felt pads
Object number: 1997-1-0305
French
Date: 1900-1950
Object number: 1998-1-0088
Jean Baptiste François Soleil
Date: 1840-1850
Object number: 1997-1-1581
