Cope, Sherwin & Company designed and built the Imperial press in Shoreditch, London, for only a brief period of time. The Imperial was part of a second generation of iron hand presses that followed the Stanhope, and it bears similarities to Albion, Columbian and Washington presses.

There is even some speculation that the Cope in the company name was related to R.W. Cope, inventor of the Albion press. Although the Imperial shares a number of similarities with the Albion, the Imperial is the more powerful press due to its leverage system, which is influenced by the Stanhope. A leaf spring raises the platen of the Imperial while the Albion employs a coil spring located in its cap.  

This 22 X 33” Imperial was purchased by one family in 1828, when it was brand new, and was passed down from father to son for many years. The press was still printing posters the basement of a tobacconist’s shop in Long Sutton, England until 1970 when it was acquired by Ernest A. Lindner. You can view this press in the gallery at the Museum.