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Available now is an exceptional, historically significant piece of industrial graphic arts ephemera from the Chamberlin family collections: an original antique halftone letterpress printing block featuring an iconic circular corporate logo.
This solid hardwood-mounted plate features a beautifully designed circle emblem centering the bold, crisp text "ANTHRACITE". Rendered in highly detailed, fine halftone photo-engraving right above the lettering is a distinct graphic depiction of a towering Pennsylvania coal breaker facility with sloped conveyor housings and processing tiers.
This block was a vital marketing asset used during the height of the coal boom to stamp trade advertisements, billheads, or wholesale shipping manifests for the regional distribution offices.
FEATURES & SPECIFICATIONS:
- Item Type: Vintage Letterpress Corporate Graphic Printing Plate / Wood Block
- Design: Circular "ANTHRACITE" Logo with a detailed Coal Breaker vignette
- Construction: Thick zinc/copper alloy halftone graphic plate secured with flush perimeter mounting pins to a heavy, level hardwood block base.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Serves as a phenomenal, pocket-sized display piece or unique desk paperweight for collectors of mining heritage or vintage typography.
PROVENANCE:
Sourced directly from the private collections of the Alexander W. Rea and William B. Chamberlin family estates. Given the families' prominent roles as Coal Sales Agents brokering massive daily rail tonnage out of the legendary Kingston Coal Company operations (including the Gaylord and Kingston collieries), this block represents a direct working asset from their administrative marketing operations.
CONDITION REPORT:
Please review the photos carefully to verify the condition details below:
- Plate Face: Outstanding antique condition. The fine halftone dot patterns on the breaker building and the crisp lettering edges remain remarkably sharp and defined. Shows a beautiful, natural dark silver/grey aged patina with authentic ink shadows from historical pressroom use.
- Wood Base: Flat, dense, and structurally sound with sharp corners and no modern modifications or cracks. Displays very clean wood grain surfaces on the reverse side.
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