Barnum and Baily Copper Plate

[Indian Steve]

Howdy All, I picked this out of the trash several years ago when I worked at the local landfill. Horrible place to work when you are a packrat. It is 5 1/4 inches by 7 7/8 inches and about 1/8 inch thick. Date at top is Aug. 2 1907. It is not reversed like a printing plate. Nonmagnetic and appears to be copper. Nothing on back. Any Ideas? Thanks Steve

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges - Grab it through Amazon!

[DCMatt]

OMG! I wonder how many people died on this contraption before they shut it down.



DCMatt

 

[Indian Steve]

I just found out that Woelz Bros. Drug Store in Appleton {see bottom line on plate} sold tickets to Buffaloe Bills Wild West Show but can't find any link to Barnum & Bailey.

 

[DCMatt]

Just going by size I would guess this was used to print handbills. The store probably got a "cut" of ticket sales. Someone with more knowledge of the printing porcess will have to explain why the plate is NOT in reverse image. 1907 was the year Ringling bought Barnum & Bailey.

DCMatt

 

[mical66]

i wonder how they used it to print since its not reversed like normal printing type ?

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

not to print handbills..to preserve one in bronze...or copper...just as one does with their sheepskin for graduation...

 

[mical66]

lol

not to print handbills..to preserve one in bronze...or copper...just as one does with their sheepskin for graduation...

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

whn one graduates from the university..or college..one has the option of preserving their diploma in several fashions...frame the original, many types of framing ...or...have a copy made in copper/bronze...then frame or mount the plate...

 

[mical66]

got ya now,, was the term sheep skin that got me bud
i have heard of some intimate items called by that name , but never a diploma.

whn one graduates from the university..or college..one has the option of preserving their diploma in several fashions...frame the original, many types of framing ...or...have a copy made in copper/bronze...then frame or mount the plate...

 

[mical66]

funny side note*
when i lived in Florida , my best buddies girl friend at that time was the daughter of the managers of WB & BB Circus , we got free tickets when it was in town .

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

Custom Diplomas

 

[Bramblefind]

Here is the same design features on a newspaper ad from 7/17/1907 Aberdeen Daily News (SD)-

 

[DCMatt]

The process is called "offset" lithography:

Definition: Offset lithography is a process used for printing on a flat surface, using printing plates. An image is transferred to a printing plate, which can be made of a variety of materials such as metal or paper. The plate is then chemically treated so that only image areas (such as type, colors, shapes and other elements) will accept ink. Water and ink is applied to the plate. Because of the chemical treatment, ink only "sticks" to the image areas, which reject the water. Areas without images reject the ink. The plate is then rolled onto a rubber cylinder applying the inked area, and in turn the rubber cylinder (or "blanket") applies the image to the paper. The system is "offset" because the plate does not come in direct contact with the paper, which preserves the quality of the plate.

You can see in this photo of a guy making plates that they are NOT in reverse image.



DCMatt

 

[DCMatt]

got ya now,, was the term sheep skin that got me bud
i have heard of some intimate items called by that name , but never a diploma.

I had my college diploma bronzed... for HER pleasure.

DCMatt

 

[Breezie]

got ya now,, was the term sheep skin that got me bud
i have heard of some intimate items called by that name , but never a diploma.

Mical: Diplomas were originally printed on thin Italian sheepskins instead of paper.
DC MATT: LOL You are soooo bahhhhhddd.


Breezie

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

thank you breezie...

at least one person understood what I said...whew...

 

[Breezie]

thank you breezie...

at least one person understood what I said...whew...

SC, I knew exactly what you were talking about. I've heard diplomas called 'sheep skins' all of my life.

 

[Uncle Jeff]

OMG! I wonder how many people died on this contraption before they shut it down.

View attachment 828658

DCMatt

OMG I would not even try that if I was Willie Coyote !

 

[Indian Steve]

I have been entertained and educated. Thank you all. steve

 

[fishguy]

I love this community on here! more entertaining and educational than cable.