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Andrew Campbell papers

Creation: 1840-1926
 Collection
Accession: 1314

Abstract

Andrew Campbell (1821-1890) was an important inventor and manufacturer of printing presses and president of the Campbell Printing Press Company of Brooklyn, New York. His papers include biographical data, correspondence, accounts, patents and records concerning Campbell's inventions.

Dates

  • Creation: 1840-1926

Creator

Extent

1.8 Linear Feet

Biographical Note

Andrew Campbell (1821-1890) was an important inventor and manufacturer of printing presses and president of the Campbell Printing Press Company of Brooklyn, New York.

Campbell invented the press-feeding machine in 1853 and was employed by A.B. Taylor & Co. of New York. He built presses for Harper & Brothers and Frank Leslie of New York, the first-ever produced with table distribution as well as the first automatics. In 1858 he engaged in business for himself; in 1861, he built the "Campbell Country Press," which became widely used throughout the country by newspaper publishers. In 1866 he created the two-revolution book press and in 1868 an art press for fine illustrations. Campbell made the first press that printed, inserted, pasted, folded, and cut in one continuous operation. He held 50 patents relating to press building. In 1880 he retired from active business. He is also credited with various labor-saving devices relating to hat manufacture, steam engineering, machinist tools, lithographic machinery, and electrical appliances.

Scope and Contents

Andrew Campbell's (1821-1890) papers include biographical data, correspondence, accounts, patents, and records concerning Campbell's inventions. The collection includes a history of printing presses by Campbell; his remarks on publicly exhibiting the "Jersey Rotary" to invited guests at the Campbell Works in Brooklyn; an essay on improvements in printing by him; notes on the performance of several kinds of presses; papers concerning inventions and patents with receipts, descriptions, and drawings; copy of his apprenticeship indenture with Woodbridge N. Smith of Upper Alton, Illinois, wagon and carriage maker; correspondence with Charles Campbell, R.P. Yorkston, C.R. Brainard, and the Commissioner-General of the Centennial Exhibition concerning his needs as an exhibitor. Also included are Campbell's notebook containing "The Press," "A Ghost Story," and drafts of other articles; account book of business and personal with an inventory of shop tools; a scrapbook of receipted bills for household expenditures; two scrapbooks with new items, broadsides, and samples of Campbell printing; letterheads and samples of Campbell printing; patents and related items, originals and printed copies, including the United States, British, French, and Belgian; proof sheets of "Something for the Children" by Campbell, being an account of a visit to the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia; published articles concerning Campbell from "The Mirror of Typography," "Typographic Messenger," "The Printer," and "Press News;" passes to the Centennial Exhibition; and published notices concerning his son, Andrew C. Campbell (1856-1926).

Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access; this collection is open for research.

Language of Materials

English

Related Names

Subject

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
Andrew Campbell papers
Author:
John Beverly Riggs
Date:
1978
Description rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description:
English
Script of description:
Latin

Revision Statements

  • 2021: Ashley Williams

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
PO Box 3630
Wilmington Delaware 19807 USA
302-658-2400