Journeyman Letterpress Printer

[BayHorse]

A great grand uncle died in his early twenties in 1889 - he was a journeyman letterpress printer.

What did that job entail?

I can find the odd fleeting reference on Google but can't seem to find anything more specific.

[sueannbowen]

Ok, there are various definitions of a journeyman, and there is a lovely thread explaining all on here somewhere, I'll see if I can find it. But a letterpress printer might be what is called a compositor these days. They took each letter individually and placed it into a form, tightened it up, printed the page and took it all to bits at the end. Have a look at this in the meantime:
https://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letterpress_printing

Here we go, scroll down to Peter's post #7 I think for a proper explanation

https://www.british-genealogy.com/for...ght=journeyman

[Peter Goodey]

Letterpress printer: a printing machine minder who does ordinary printing as distinct from illustration work, work, such as lithography or process block printing.

With all respect to Sue, I don't think he was a compositor.

[BayHorse]

Thank you both. That's very helpful.

So. He was an apprentice.

:ker-ching: This makes a whole lot of sense now. I have a few journeymen occupations throughout my family, butchers and blacksmiths mainly. I assumed it meant they moved around to find the work (as we indeed have mobile blacksmiths nowadays, but thinking about it an anvil would be darn heavy to hoist on a cart in 1850! ) In later census entries these people were recorded as 'master-whatever', so they had in fact qualified in their chosen trade.

Ahhh.

Thanks!

[Peter Goodey]

He was an apprentice.

He had once been an apprentice (presumably).

Now he was an journeyman - a qualified employee.

If he ever set up his own business and started employing other people - and perhaps taking on apprentices - he would then be a master.

[sueannbowen]

Letterpress printer: a printing machine minder who does ordinary printing as distinct from illustration work, work, such as lithography or process block printing.

With all respect to Sue, I don't think he was a compositor.

No worries Peter don't mind being put straight.

[BayHorse]

He had once been an apprentice (presumably).

Now he was an journeyman - a qualified employee.

If he ever set up his own business and started employing other people - and perhaps taking on apprentices - he would then be a master.

That's great. Thanks.

[fullscott]

This is how skills were graded by the Army, WW1 period, with their civilian equivalent:

"Classification of Artificers, Army Ordnance Corps.
3rd Class Artificer - A man who can carry out a trade job which does not require very much skill (improver).
2nd Class Artificer - A good average tradesman.
1st Class Artificer - The man should be better than the average tradesman. He should be capable of instructing other men, and should be able to read a drawing and to take out quantities from it.

Note - The corresponding grades in civil life would be:-
3rd Class - An improver.
2nd Class - A journeyman.
1st Class - A leading hand or chargeman."

Source: Proficiency Page, WW1 Service Records. (eg FUL page 12223)