One ADANA "Five-Three" Printing Machine
The Adana model eight-five was a robust machine constructed using the latest techniques of gravity and pressure die-casting, designed by printer's engineers of long experience.Adana printers were manufactured from 1922 to 1999 in Twickenham , England, but they were to become most famous for the "Eight-Five" and their other vertical platen presses, which were said to be the finest in the world at that time.
Although most of the printing presses produced by Adana were aimed at hobby printers, they were frequently put to commercial use. Adanas are still to be found throughout the world in the hands of colleges, enthusiasts and professional printers. They were quick and easy to use and ideal for the beginner in print. (No electricity involved) Parts may still be available for refurbishing these machines, but no specific enquiry has been made. The machine is as shown in the photograph. The history of Adana is interesting. It was started by Donald Aspinall as a teenager in his garage, and turned into a thriving business in 1922, The earliest models were flat bed machines but they became famous for the"Eight-Five" and other vertical platen presses, the 5-3 being the smaller version of the 8-5. The company was taken over in 1940 and relaunched in 1946, still in consultation with the original founder, and was world famous by the 50 s. The company was wound down in the 80 s and sold to Caslon Ltd, and production continued until 1999, when the last "Eight-Five" machine was sold, but parts were still sold and machines refurbished. However in 2016 a model known as the "85C" has been re-launched by Caslon, similar in design to the original. Caslon is a family owned company which has connections dating back to 1720 and William Caslon who started a career in type design when he created a typeface for the New Testament in Arabic. Later in 1776 another Caslon typeface was used to print the American Declaration of Independence. What an incredible story, and what an iconic press is the"Eight-Five". The Five-Three is similar in design, but a smaller version.