THE ACORN PRESS.
Where is it Today?
by Floyd D. P. Øydegaard
THE OLD ACORN PRESS
THE ACORN PRESS.
Where is it Today?
by Floyd D. P. Øydegaard
THE OLD ACORN PRESS
After looking over many old 1856 Columbia Gazette Newspapers, I noted an image of an "acorn press" in the columns. My assumption was that the "dingbat" was most likely supplied to the printer with his press and type. No records have come to my attention that describe or name the type of "country press" that may have had extensive use in Columbia. Rumors and sketchy paperwork mentioned an old "Acorn" that was in the press museum for years and that it ended up in Sacramento or Placeville for a time. What I eventually learned is the following.
The press was brought around the Horn by Sam Brannan on the ship "Brookly" early in the year 1846. After being set up in an old grist mill, it was first used for printing proclamations, official documents, etc. It was assumed that this Acorn printing press was used by early California newspapers and believed by a former owner of the "Placer Herald", to have been the Sam Brannan press which printed the San Francisco "Star" in 1847. (This weekly paper was actually the California Star started January 9th, 1847 by Sam Brannan. It was the first San Francisco weekly.).
In 1850, it was taken to Marysville, and in 1852 moved to Auburn where it was used for printing the "Placer Herald." (This weekly paper started September 11th, 1852 by R. Rust and T. Mitchell).
The records show that the press was loaned to Sutters Fort possibly as early as the 1930's. The formal records show transfer to Columbia in 1973, maybe earlier if they were back-filing the necessary forms. The press was transfered from Columbia January 26th, 1977. The curator at Auburn Courthouse stated that after leaving Columbia the Press was returned to the family and it was used for a while at a college, the National Park Service had it on loan, as well as the Oakland Museum. Auburn currently has it on a five year loan.
Thanks to the efforts of Columbia archivist Thonni Morikawa and Lisa Smithson, for the above updated information. The so-called Brannan Press is currently located at the Courthouse in Auburn at the Placer County Courthouse. (New information as of Dec. 2006).
ACORN TYPES.
The press received its name from the shape of the frame. Like the "Washington Press" (1821 -ca.1910) "nickname" for the Palmer & Rey, it was a
generic name for many presses with that same basic frame design.
Here are a few "acorn" framed presses:
Columbia's Editors and Newspapers.
History of Columbia's Newspapers 2.