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C. A. Alvord
| Firmenname | C. A. Alvord |
| Ortssitz | New York (N.Y.) |
| Art des Unternehmens | Druckerei |
| Anmerkungen | - |
| Quellenangaben | [Bishop: History of American manufacturers 1 (1868) 651] |
| Zeit |
Ereignis |
| 1844 |
Gründung. Beginn in der Ecke Dutch und John Streets und später in der Gold Street |
| 1857 |
Umzug von der Gold Street, in die Van-derwater street 15 |
| ZEIT | 1868 |
| THEMA | Firmenbeschreibung |
| TEXT | Who has the reputation of being the best printer of illustrated works in the United States, is a native of Litchfield county, Connecticut. He was early apprenticed to learn the typographer's art, and worked as journeyman for many years before he became a master printer. During this period he acquired such proficiency in all branches of his profession, that when he fitted up his first printing office, in 1844, he was able to direct the proper arrangements, not only of the presses, but of the engine, boilers, and shafting, and, in fact, performed a large part of the work with his own hands. He first commenced business at the corner of Dutch and John streets, from which he removed to Gold street, where he remained until 1857, when he removed to No. 15 Vanderwater street, which is among the largest and best arranged edifices for the printing business in the United States. This building is five stories in height, about sixty feet in front, and nearly one hundred feet in depth. The greater part of the basement, which extends under the entire building, is occupied as a paper wareroom, while a small portion is appropriated to an engine of thirty-five horse power, that drives the machinery. The boilers are placed in a court on the outside of the main building. One peculiar and distinctive feature of this establishment is the immense vaults for the storage of stereotype plates of publishers whose works are printed by Mr. Alvord. Of these there are four, which extend under adjacent buildings, are separated by thick walls and wrought-iron doors, and locked and guarded as a sub-treasury. The air in these vaults is cool at all seasons, and the roar of the great city is unheard. Here are thousands of books in metal - a mammoth cave of literature; with intricate and winding passages in which the inexperienced explorer is in danger of being lost, without the services of a guide. Leaving the vaults and wareroom, and ascending to the first floor, we come to the composing room. Here about eighty men are constantly employed in setting type, and sometimes the force is increased to one hundred. The room contains over three hundred pairs of cases of type, among which are louts of Hebrew, Greek, Old English, and a sufficient variety of old-style type to make reprints or fac-similes of old newspapers, which has been done here in many instances. The press room is on the second floor. Here are sixteen Adams' presses, two cylinder presses, and eleven hand presses, which are employed on the finest illustrated works. Even these, however, are worked by steam. All the book work is dried by steam after what is known as the laundry method, and it is then pressed in hydraulic presses. The upper stories are occupied as a book bindery, while there is also on the premises a stereotype and electrotype foundry, so that all the operations necessary and incidental to converting a manuscript into a finished bound book are carried on under one roof. To enumerate all the fine works that have issued from the Alvord Press within twenty-two years, would involve the compilation of a small catalogue. It is presumed that more work is done at this office for publishers of books sold by subscription, than at any other in the United States, and the list of fine holiday books, annually printed here, is a very comprehensive one. A writer in one of the New York dailies makes the following remarks on the subject: "A book which was issued by this house a few weeks ago, will be of great interest to read about, although the reader will never see a copy, since it is not offered for sale, being intended for private circulation only. Mr. Alvord considers it one of the finest books he ever printed, and Mr Matthews, the binder, was so pleased with it that he bound a copy in superb style, and sent it to the Paris Exposition. The book is called 'Armsmear,' and was prepared by Henry Barnard, LL.D., of Connecticut. As it was intended for a holiday present for friends, it was produced without regard to cost, being printed with beautiful type, on extra calendered paper, with open, free margins. Each volume was valued at twenty-five dollars when they were completed. The book contained an autobiography of Colonel Colt, written by his widow, and a full description of "Armsmear," the name of her residence at Hartford. It was splendidly illustrated, giving views of the house, deer park, grounds, conservatory, picture gallery, the pistol manufactory, etc.Many wealthy people publish books for their own amusement, and some of the residents of our Fifth avenue have indulged in the luxury. Some time age Mr. James Lennox gave an order through his agent, Mr. Randolph, for the republication of the second voyage of Columbus, with copies of the original drawings made on board the ship. Mr. Lennox wished to have the book produced in the highest style of the art, and he was fearful it would have to be sent to Whittingham, of London; but when he saw Mr. Alvord's proofs, he decided they would do, and so the book was printed in America. Two copies of it were issued in folio, one of which, it is understood, found its way to the British Museum, while the other reposes in the library of Mr. Lennox, on Fifth avenue. A few were issued in octavo form, and some in quarto. The paper on which it was printed was imported Scotch paper, as hard as steel. A 'History of Yassar College and its Founder', by B. J. Lossing, Esq., is a very beautiful illustrated work, brought out by Mr. Alvord recently. Another elegant book, well known to those curious in such matters, issued by this house, is James Wynne's Private Libraries of New York. It is as fine a specimen of printing as ever came from the American Press. This house frequently reprints old newspapers, with the discolored paper and the old-fashioned type. When Mr. Warren was in the Recorder's hall, he commenced to issue the old records of the city of New York, but the book was never finished, owing to some change in the Recorder's office." Mr. Alvord is an active member of the New York Typographical Society, and President of the Typothetse, a society formed of master printers for the purpose of perfecting the art and promoting good fellowship among the craft. This society, which keeps itself informed of all the improvements in the art of printing that are brought out in different parts of the world, through correspondence with similar societies in Paris, and London, and Germany, has been of great advantage to printers in the United States, enabling them to keep pace with their brethren in Europe. Mr. Alvord has recently purchased a farm near Hartford, Connecticut, which he is now adorning, and it is probable that he will, in a few years, retire from the profession of which he is one of the most distinguished members, leaving the extensive business that he has built up to his son, who is now associated with him. |
| QUELLE | [Bishop: History of American manufacturers 1 (1868) 651] |
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