Antique Anthracite Coal Breaker Letterpress Printing Block 1938 Newspaper Plate For Sale

Available now is a captivating piece of industrial industrial Americana: an original antique halftone letterpress printing block featuring an exceptionally detailed photo-engraved image of a massive Pennsylvania anthracite coal breaker facility. Being from John R Chamberlin’s office it is probably Gaylord or Kingston but it is not labeled

This printing plate is mounted to its original thick hardwood block base. In an incredible twist of history, the reverse side features a vintage newspaper backing applied during its production. The backing text remains largely legible and includes a highly specific news report from Trenton, N.J., dated September 23, 1938, discussing a new state licensing law passed to regulate coal dealers and eliminate "bootleg coal" trucking operations. This firmly dates the manufacture of this printing block to late 1938.

The metal plate surface shows an architectural and mechanical marvel of the coal fields, highlighting the multi-tiered structure, conveyor housings, and window arrays iconic to mid-century anthracite operations.

FEATURES & SPECIFICATIONS:

- Item Type: Halftone Photo-Engraved Printing Plate / Press Block

- Subject: Industrial Anthracite Coal Breaker Plant

- Manufacture Date: Circa October 1938 (Verified by reverse-side newspaper printing matrix backing)

- Construction: Copper/zinc alloy plate secured with flush perimeter nails to a solid hardwood press block

CONDITION REPORT:

Please review the photos carefully to verify the condition details below:

- Plate Face: Outstanding vintage condition with excellent preservation of the fine halftone dot pattern. Light surface wear, natural oxidation, and historic reddish/brown printing ink residue that beautifully accentuates the details of the breaker structure when caught by light.

- Wood Base & Backing: The block is flat, heavy, and structurally sound. The historic 1938 newspaper backing on the reverse side is remarkably well-preserved with typical age-toning and localized dark ink smudging from historical pressroom handling, but the core text remains sharp and readable.

🌟 UPCOMING HISTORIC REA & CHAMBERLIN COLLECTION OFFERINGS 🌟

Please bookmark our store and follow our listings over the coming days, weeks, and months. We are honored to be offering an elite selection of other exceptionally RARE items, corporate documents, manuscripts, maps, and unique antiquarian volumes tracing directly to the legendary Alexander W. Rea and William B. Chamberlin family estates. Future offerings will also include pieces related to Franklin B. Gowen, the visionary founder and President of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company. Check back frequently as these foundational pieces of American mining and railroad heritage are systematically brought to market.