Harrild & Sons

Harrild & Sons Limited

Company type	Private
Industry	Printing machinery manufacturing
Founded	1809 (1809) in London, England
Founder	Robert Harrild
Defunct	1949 (1949)
Headquarters	London , England
Products	Printing presses, composition rollers, platen presses (Columbian, Albion, Jobbing), types, paper ruling machines, trimming devices, newspaper folding equipment

Harrild & Sons Limited was a British enterprise engaged in the production of printing press machinery and related supplies, established in 1809 by Robert Harrild in London’s Norwich Street. The firm concluded its activities in 1949. It was instrumental in promoting the transition from ink balls to composition rollers for applying ink to printing plates within London, significantly enhancing printing methods and productivity.

History

In 1809, Robert Harrild launched Harrild & Sons Limited in Farringdon, London. The business initially focused on manufacturing printing presses designed for letterpress printing, employing ink balls to ink the plates. By 1813, Harrild championed the shift towards "composition rollers" as a replacement for ink balls. Although hand printers were initially hesitant, his effective demonstration convinced many, leading to broad acceptance across London’s printing industry. To facilitate roller production, Harrild set up a workshop at 25 Farringdon Street. Over subsequent years, Harrild & Sons broadened their manufacturing scope to include a complete array of printing machinery.

Following Robert Harrild’s passing in 1853, his sons took over company leadership until its closure in 1949.

The Farringdon Street premises are noted for their terracotta embellishments crafted by Gibbs and Canning from Glascote, Tamworth.

Products

Harrild & Sons produced and sold composition roller presses as well as paragon platen presses, featuring models such as the Columbian, Albion, and Jobbing. Their product line also encompassed types, paper ruling machines, trimming devices, newspaper folding equipment, and various other components essential to printing operations.

Promotional materials from the company emphasized the extensive selection of products available:

Legacy

In 1949, Edward George Downing Liveing authored The House of Harrild, 1801–1948, a detailed 69-page chronicle of the company published by Harrild & Sons Limited.