COLUMBIAN EAGLE PRESS
1854 - 1870Very large, heavy, black metal, Harrild & Sons, Columbian Eagle printing press. Sitting on large, thick, black metal feet, the press is a complex series of metal components, coming together in roughly a rectangular shape. In the centre of the machine is a large, black metal plate covered in white fabric. A large, black metal press sits above, which can be moved down onto the plate. Across the top of the machine is a long, thick, back metal arm, with a very large, gold painted, metal eagle sitting on the left side. Attached to the front of the machine is a small brass plaque, that reads, ''HARRILD & SONS,/ PRINTERS' ENGINEERS,/ 'FLEET WORKS', LONDON. E.C.'.
A printing shop was part of the Convict Establishment's original infrastructure. In 1854 convicts were instructed in the use of two printing presses. This Columbian Press is likely to have been one of these two machines. It was made by Harrild and Sons, an engineering company based in London. The Fremantle Prison Print Shop functioned as the official Government Printer from 1858 until June 1870. The weekly Government Gazette was printed on this press. The Columbian Press was moved to Perth by ship in 1870 to become part of the newly established Government Printer. It remained in use at the Government Printer until the late 1970s and is still in working order.
Ownership of this press was transferred from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet to Fremantle Prison on 12.05.2021.
Details
Details
'HARRILD & SONS,/ PRINTERS' ENGINEERS,/ 'FLEET WORKS', LONDON. E.C.'
A Printing Shop was part of the Convict Establishment's original infrastructure, and remained a trade taught to inmates at Fremantle Prison throughout the site’s history. In 1854 convicts were instructed in the use of two printing presses onsite, and this Columbian Press is likely to have been one of these two machines. The press was handset by the prisoners working in the shop, under the supervision of an instructor.
The Fremantle Prison Print Shop functioned as the official Government Printer from 1858 until June 1870, which included printing the weekly Government Gazette. This Columbian Press was then moved to Perth by ship in 1870 to become part of the newly established Government Printer. It remained in use at the Government Printer until the late 1970s. It remains in working order.
This press was made by Harrild and Sons, an engineering company based in London. This type of printing press was patented by George Clymer in 1813 in Philadelphia, USA, and then in England in 1817. Clymer applied hydraulic engineering principles to the press, with the large crossbeam linked to the operating handle for greater efficiency of use, a design which is unique to the Columbian. Interestingly, it had little success in America, but was very popular in Europe and England, where it was adopted by many leading printers. Some of these presses then made their way to the Australian colonies, however the exact number of Columbian presses which came to Western Australia throughout the nineteenth century is difficult to ascertain.
Printing operations were established in Perth and Fremantle, and as far as Geraldton, Coolgardie and Leonora. The only other known surviving Columbian Press in Western Australia today is located at TAFE Central in Perth.
This Printing Press has international significance, as both a link to the earliest forms of industry within Fremantle Prison during the convict era, and through its connection to early printing and the public dissemination of information in the Swan River Colony. Its historic and social significance is very high as an example of the connection and relationship between products produced by the convicts involved in Prison industries and the outside colony.
