Hawthornes Antiques

Description

Presenting a rare and impressive piece of American folk art, the eagle counterweight to a George Clymer, Columbia printing press.

Originally this piece would have sat atop the press as can be seen displayed in our images. Now mounted on a bespoke wooden plinth this makes for an impressive display item of considerable size and weight, 32 kilos or 5 stones in old money! Grasped in its talons a branch leads to a cornucopia or Horn of Plenty representing prosperity and within the left wing the olive branch of peace.

The Columbia, (Columbia being another name for America) iron handpress was by far the most ornate of all, however, it should be noted that many of the embellishments were functional pieces of the machine. This is true of the eagle, in purpose a counterbalance that could be adjusted by sliding along a bar that itself was modelled as a sea creature. The counterbalance could easily have been a functional iron or lead sphere but to George Clymers sensibility that would not do, the job had to be completed by an embellished American Eagle.

George Clymer 1754-1834 was a mechanic from Philadelphia and invented his press in 1813. Not finding commercial success in the States he moved to England in 1818 setting up shop in Finsbury Street not far from Fleet Street. His invention was well recieved and went on to be sold throughout Europe. After his death his machines were still manufactured well into the 19th century with examples now held in museums and some even still in use.

This item of American folk art and industrial heritage displays well and will surely be much admired.