OTAWA—  The Gilmore Group of Companies, has taken delivery of a rare and unique printing press. The Columbian iron press, manufactured in London, England, in 1887, was the first printing machine to do away with the typical Gutenberg-era wine screw and instead used a unique set of levers to impart the needed pressure. Invented by an American in 1813, the Columbian was the first printing machine to be built of iron in mass production. The Columbian press is considered the most ornately decorated printing machine ever made. It features the American eagle, Joves’s lightning bolts, and the horn of plenty cast in bas-relief. It was used to print every type of newspaper and book throughout the 19th century, but only about 400 of these machines survive today. Howard Graphic Equipment founded in 1967, has been involved in used and new machinery sales and rebuilding, with over 4,500 press units sold to 75 countries worldwide. In 2024 Howard celebrates 57 years in business with customers throughout Canada and across the globe.