The Art Department has recently been gifted a rare, beautiful and very workable early Victorian Albion Printing Press from an OM parent.
This machine was manufactured in 1837. Its designer, Richard Whittaker Cope, created the model in London in the early 1820’s. He was a great fan of William Caxton who brought the technology of printing to England in the 1470’s.
The Press’s new life and stately presence in AR2 studio classroom within the Art School has been commented on by pupils, parents, OMs and visitors alike. This Albion Press, which was the equivalent of the internet at the time of Queen Victoria’s Coronation, will now assist Marlburians to print lino and woodcuts in original printmaking from next term and for many generations to come.
Edward Twohig RE
Head of Art
