I wonder how many designers and printers began their careers messing with a John Bull printing outfit? I can certainly remember struggling with one on newsletters me and my mates put together at school. My brother turned this set up in very nice condition recently which I snapped, you can still see the price of 5s 6d in the corner (27.5p). But reliable information about these sets seems to be very thin on the ground.
Some people online have suggested they a product of the John Bull Rubber Company but the names are just a co-incidence, as the two firms logos are similar but not the same (and lets face it using the name John Bull was not rare, there was even a magazine by this name into the Fifties).
The John Bull printing set boxes do all say ‘Made In The British Isles’ and the trade mark was registered in February 1927. The early boxes say “Charter” series, London SE1. The words ‘”Carbak” series’ were added in 1946, this was a name based on what I assume was the firm itself, Carson and Baker. That year they were based at 57 Southwark Street, London SE1
Later boxes have a different London address, 184 Southampton Way. The sets were still being sold into the 1960s but I don’t know when they stopped making them.
The concept was simple; a wooden (later plastic) frame into which the rubber letters were placed using tweezers. As they were flexible they stayed put in the frame. The text was then pressed into an ink pad and on to the paper. I suspect at first they were aimed at small business use and shops, but they quickly caught on for homes and children.
Lots of different size sets were available (I’ve seen from No 4 to No 33!), and there was a little paper instruction sheet inside. John Bull later started doing combined sets of letters and picture stamps aimed directly at children (these sets have a three number catalogue sequence, that’s one in the picture below I found on the web). They also sold a very primitive little plastic printing press, which held the frame once the type was set.
If you have any further information or pictures do get in touch.
easyontheeye2.wordpress.com 