Block Leveller

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Block leveller

The Block leveller was created by Horace W Hacker. His patent filled in 1924. Its use, milling stock to type high .918″. Produced by his firm, Hacker Manufacturing, (Horace Hacker Co) they were bought out in 1937 by Vandercook & Sons. The rebadged Hacker, was named the Vandercook Block leveller and its design was then licensed out to F.A.G for the European market.

The Block Leveller is powered by a two-motor system that operates on three-phase power. One motor spins the bed, while the other drives the planer head. The planer head to follows one spiral path, terminating at the axis of the bed. Another spiral path commences at the edge of the bed, its convolutions intervening between the convolutions of the first spiral path. The planer blades follows the second spiral path, cleaning up the chatter left behind from its first spiral path. This innovative system allowed for a more efficient and precise milling process, which is why the machines became a staple in the printing industry. Hundreds of these machines were made over the years. However, after the commercial decline of letterpress, most of them were discarded, with very few surviving examples known left today.

Database Of Levellers

New in 1962 it cost £2805. The price of the average house in the uk.

At todays rate £48,195. The cost of a typical UK home in 2023 £281,272

There are currently thirteen known to have survived, ten of them in the United States. Four Polytypes, in Europe. If you know of any hiding please drop a message.

NO	Brand/Model	Serial number	Studio/Location
1	F.A.G – BL.45	3207016	Tribune Showprint – USA, Muncie, Indiana
2	Vandercook – 11	15006	Gurzopress – USA, New Jersey
3	TBC (Broken)	TBC	Letterpress Depot – USA, Colorado
4	TBC	TBC	The International Printing Museum – USA, California
5	Vandercook – 11	18590	Virgin Wood Type – USA, Rochester
6	Hacker (modified)	16894	Moore Wood Type – USA, Ohio
7	Vandercook – 11	TBC	The Red Door Press – USA, Iowa
8	TBC	TBC	(Private) USA, Cincinnati
9	TBC	TBC	(Private) USA, NYC
10	Vandercook – 11 (XL)	Lost	Tivoli Press – UK, Gloucestershire
11	F.A.G	TBC	Tiporenesansa – Slovenia
12	Vandercook – 10	9862	J Finch (Machinist) – USA, Palmer Lake, Colorado
13	F.A.G	TBC	Imprimerie Nationale

Polytype Levellers

NO	Brand	Serial number	Studio/Location
1	Polytype PF 63	5021	Baby Ink Twice, Switzerland
2	Polytype V72	11306	Museum Der Arbeit, Germany, Hamburg
3	Polytype	TBC	Bland Typer & Tryck
4	Polytype	TBC	Hacking Gutenberg