Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2024.FIC.015 |
Object Name |
Letterpress |
Title |
Fisher & Norris Eagle Anvil Works Letterpress |
Description |
A silver cuboid-shaped letterpress with an embossed inscription written in reverse on the front. The inscription reads, "FISHER." There is a small hole on the back that reveals the inside. According to Joshua A. Kevatt's book The History of Fisher & Norris Eagle Anvil Works, Mark Fisher and John Norris founded Fisher & Norris Eagle Anvil Works in Newport, Maine, in 1843. The company was the first in the United States to mass-produce anvils. Due to the remote location of Newport, Fisher and Norris decided to move operations to Trenton, New Jersey, in 1849. In Trenton, Fisher & Norris Eagle Anvil Works became the oldest anvil manufacturing company in American history. In 1961, the company sold the rights to produce Fisher & Norris anvils to Crossley Machine Works, which continued production until 1979 when they shut down their furnace due to increasing environmental regulations. As noted in the book, Joseph F. Crossley founded Crossley Machine Company in 1879. The company primarily produced equipment for clay and ceramic factories. At its peak, Crossley had a pattern shop, an iron foundry, a machine shop, and a blacksmith shop, although the blacksmith shop was used less in later years. In 1961, Crossley purchased the rights to produce Fisher & Norris anvils. By 1979, declining use of ceramic products and stricter environmental regulations led to the closure of their iron foundry. Crossley Machine Works finally closed in 1999. Citations: Kavett, J. (2020). The History of Fisher & Norris Eagle Anvil Works. FNFM Publishing. |
Year Range from |
1848 |
Year Range to |
1976 |
Material |
Metal |
Artist |
Unknown |
Height (in) |
1.000 |
Length (in) |
4.125 |
Width (in) |
0.750 |
Condition |
Okay |
Condition Notes |
Overall: Corrosion and abrasions throughout. Front: There is corrosion all over. Right Side: There is corrosion all over. Also, there is an abrasion on top near the left side. Back: There is corrosion all over. Also, there is an abrasion on the center near the middle. Left Side: There is corrosion all over. Top: There is corrosion all over. Also, there are abrasions all over. Bottom: There is corrosion all over. There are white accretions on the center near the middle. And finally, there are abrasions all over. |
Inscription Type |
Inscription |
Inscription Location |
Front, Top to Bottom, Left to Right |
Inscription Technique |
Embossed |
Inscription Text |
"FISHER" Line 1 |
People |
Joseph F Crossley Mark Fisher John Norris |
Classification |
Newspapers Business & Commerce Newspapers |
Subjects |
Metals Printmaking Printmaking equipment Metalwork Journalism Journalists Writing Writing materials Blacksmiths Blacksmithing Anvils Newspaper industry |
Search Terms |
Letterpress 1848 1976 19th Century 20th Century Metal Fisher Fisher & Norris Fisher and Norris Joseph F Crossley Mark Fisher John Norris Eagle Anvil Works Crossley Machine Works Newspaper Grey Fisher Letterpress Anvils Newport Maine Trenton New Jersey |
Provenance |
Found in collection |