Dusten
Well-known member
Any ideas what it is
Help id'ing this press?
- Thread starter Dusten
- Start date
Techie1961
Well-known member
It's very cool, that's what it is.
duke5572
Well-known member
Man...my Google-Fu is generally pretty strong, especially when it comes to historical objects. But I'm having a hell of time with this one---I've done a fairly extensive search of early 20th century business listings, and I can't find a damn thing.
I would say that I'm 75% sure the plaque reads "DYE ELECTRIC & MFG, MODEL 12, BAKER, ORE"...but that doesn't get me very far. Baker was a mining town in eastern Oregon back in those days.
The machine itself looks pre-WWII to me, at least. Are there any markings on it anywhere? Can you make out what the decal to the right of the gauge says?
Really curious if anyone else has insights on this one. Cool press.
I would say that I'm 75% sure the plaque reads "DYE ELECTRIC & MFG, MODEL 12, BAKER, ORE"...but that doesn't get me very far. Baker was a mining town in eastern Oregon back in those days.
The machine itself looks pre-WWII to me, at least. Are there any markings on it anywhere? Can you make out what the decal to the right of the gauge says?
Really curious if anyone else has insights on this one. Cool press.
Mohawk Dave
Well-known member
Google puts Westinghouse Electric & Mfg in Baker Oregon.....maybe a company prior to them? Maybe they were bought out by Westinghouse? ???
senlow
Well-known member
duke5572
Well-known member
Thanks much for providing the additional pictures. Unfortunately, they were not of much help.
I've spent a fair amount of time perusing census records, old business directories, and patent filings for devices similar to this one. I'm still not sure that the name is "DYE." It could be "BYE" which is a more common surname in Oregon, or it could be a random collection of letters. I'm really stumped at this point, so I sent out a couple of feelers to historical societies in Baker City hoping that maybe I'll get some local information.
This is a good treasure hunt. I hope that I (or someone else!) can come up with some more info for you.
I've spent a fair amount of time perusing census records, old business directories, and patent filings for devices similar to this one. I'm still not sure that the name is "DYE." It could be "BYE" which is a more common surname in Oregon, or it could be a random collection of letters. I'm really stumped at this point, so I sent out a couple of feelers to historical societies in Baker City hoping that maybe I'll get some local information.
This is a good treasure hunt. I hope that I (or someone else!) can come up with some more info for you.
stanleyrleonard
Well-known member
On speculation, I offer the following: When I blow up your first photo, I can envision the capital letter "W". Look here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=323806 Now, Blow it up to 500X.
When googling "WYE ELECTRIC", they are everywhere out there [yes, I did add the ampersand and "MFG" to no avail]. Perhaps an old family name.
To add to this stretch, there exists no comma between "BAKER" and "ORE" and this led me to this fact: Baker City, Oregon is the county seat of Baker County in Oregon which was named after the only sitting US Senator killed in battle in 1861. So, now, please stay with me on this and spend a couple of minutes reading and gazing at this: http://www.miningartifacts.org/OregonMines.html
I agree with jeremy v. This is a specialized shop made press. Perhaps there was a "BAKER ORE" firm in the area and "WYE" personalized the nameplate for id purposes. Personally, I would write or phone the Baker County Oregon County Clerk and perhaps get into their archives of business names, etc. Great old press!! Good luck--Stan
When googling "WYE ELECTRIC", they are everywhere out there [yes, I did add the ampersand and "MFG" to no avail]. Perhaps an old family name.
To add to this stretch, there exists no comma between "BAKER" and "ORE" and this led me to this fact: Baker City, Oregon is the county seat of Baker County in Oregon which was named after the only sitting US Senator killed in battle in 1861. So, now, please stay with me on this and spend a couple of minutes reading and gazing at this: http://www.miningartifacts.org/OregonMines.html
I agree with jeremy v. This is a specialized shop made press. Perhaps there was a "BAKER ORE" firm in the area and "WYE" personalized the nameplate for id purposes. Personally, I would write or phone the Baker County Oregon County Clerk and perhaps get into their archives of business names, etc. Great old press!! Good luck--Stan
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