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Available now is another exceptional piece of industrial history from the Chamberlin family collections: an antique halftone photo-engraving letterpress printing block. This wide panoramic metal plate depicts a sweeping landscape view of an active early-to-mid 20th-century coal colliery facility nested in the Pennsylvania hills.
The fine halftone plate features incredible detail, capturing smoking smokestacks, utility buildings, a hillside processing layout, and the rugged, stepped terrain characteristic of the historic anthracite coal regions.
Adding immensely to its provenance, the reverse side of the hardwood base features a vintage handwritten cursive signature in white grease pencil or chalk that clearly reads: "John R. Chamberlin." This piece was a working asset belonging directly to the legacy Coal Sales Agent himself.
DIMENSIONS (as shown in photos):
- Length: Approx. 8-1/4 inches
- Width: Approx. 4-1/8 inches
- Thickness: Approx. 7/8 inch (Standard letterpress type-high block)
FEATURES & SPECIFICATIONS:
- Item Type: Wide Panoramic Halftone Photo-Engraved Printing Plate
- Graphics: Historic Coal Colliery Processing Facility & Smokestacks
- Base: Heavy, solid cherry or maple hardwood press block
- Provenance: Sourced directly from the Chamberlin estate with authentic handwritten "John R. Chamberlin" identification on the reverse wood base.
CONDITION REPORT:
Please review the photos carefully to verify the condition details below:
- Metal Face: Excellent antique condition with a highly preserved halftone dot grid. Shows natural dark age patina and localized silvering to the metal surface that dynamically catches light to reveal the industrial scene.
- Wood Block: Solid, straight, and structurally sound. The block shows minor manufacturing saw-kerf markings along its edges typical of pressroom block preparation. The reverse is clean, providing high legibility for the handwritten Chamberlin family name.
🌟 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.
