Artist/Maker
A. B. Dick Company
Diaphragm mimeograph
1887-1900
Place madeChicago, Illinois, United States, North America
Wood, metal, slate, paper, cardboard, ink
Overall: 4 3/4 x 16 3/4 x 13 in. ( 12.1 x 42.5 x 33 cm )
Samuel T. Shaw Memorial Collection
1946.252
DescriptionDiaphragm mimeograph consisting of wooden box opening to reveal set of compartments, with diaphragm (consisting of frame, stencil, and printing-bed) and inking slate stacked on top; within diaphragm, green pad covered with fragments of text and ink stains; in compartments, roller (with wooden handle and other metal component) mounted on stand, tube of ink, cardboard cylinder containing roll of translucent graph paper, ink pen (with blunt end) and several pieces of blank paper, folded up; metal plate attached to side of box (holes for attaching another on top of box) and printed papers attached to inside of lid; two metal hooks swing up to screws on front of lid, to fasten box.Markingsstamped: on metal plate attached to side: "EDISON/MIMEOGRAPH/PATD. AUG. 9, 1876, FEBY 17, 1880./OTHER PATENTS PENDING/MADE ONLY BY/A. B. DICK COMPANY/NO. 4 CHICAGO."
printed: on first sheet of paper attached to inside of box lid: "DIRECTIONS/FOR USING/The Edison Mimeograph,/MANUFACTURED ONLY BY/THE A. B. DICK COMPANY,/152 & 154 LAKE STREET./CHICAGO./[set of instructions, with accompanying illustrations]"
printed: on second sheet of paper attached to inside of box lid: "...PRICE LIST.../OF/EDISON'S STANDARD MIMEOGRA [torn] [includes list of machines, parts, and supplies, with prices]"
printed: on piece of paper pasted to bottom of box: "Clean the Inking Roller/and Slate with Benzine/occasionally."
printed: on first paper label attached to cardboard cylinder: "[torn] NOT EXPOSE/THIS PACKAGE OF/STENCIL PAPER/To the Sun/Or to Artificial Heat."
printed: on second paper label attached to cardboard cylinder: "EDISON MIMEOGRAPH/STENCIL PAPER FOR/Autographic Manifolding/made only by/A. B. DICK Company/Chicago U.S.A./One Quire. 14x20 in. No. 302"
ClassificationsBUSINESS TOOLS & EQUIPMENT