Manufacturer: T.C. Thompson & Sons, Ltd., Manchester, UK

Y.O.M: 1956

Serial No.: 2870

Size: 10" x 15"

Restored: 2019

Description:
Founded in 1871, T.C. Thompson & Son, Ltd., Manchester, UK, first produced hand and treadle platens. In the 1920s, it started making automatic presses in the style of the Heidelberg platen. Patent infringement suit by the German firm forced a new press design and launched the "Buy British!" ad campaign. During WW2, like many factories in the UK, Thompson was set-up to produce armaments. After the war, Thompson platens enjoyed great success, until the factory closed down in 1988, and was gobbled up by James Wilkes Group.