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Object Timeline

1945

  • Work on this object began.

1980

  • Work on this object ended.

1994

  • We acquired this object.

1995

2003

2013

2025

  • You found it!

Printing Roller (USA)

This is a Printing roller. It is dated 1945–80 and we acquired it in 1994. Its medium is aluminum. It is a part of the Wallcoverings department.

American manufacturers began machine-printing wallpaper using rollers in the 1840s. Early rollers were carved from wood, used a raised surface to carry the pigment, and required a separate roller for each color. Rollers necessitated a smaller pattern repeat, as the standard 6-inch roller had an 18-inch circumference.

This object was donated by Mr. Seth Joseph Weine. It is credited Gift of Seth Joseph Weine.

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 14.5 x 58.4 cm (5 11/16 x 23 in.)

Cite this object as

Printing Roller (USA); aluminum; H x W x D: 14.5 x 58.4 cm (5 11/16 x 23 in.); Gift of Seth Joseph Weine; 1994-82-1

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Kitsch to Corbusier: Wallpapers from the 1950s.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18649487/ |title=Printing Roller (USA) |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=11 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>