Object ID
2008.37.32
Object Name
Block, Printing
Date Created
1967
Material
Lead; Wood
Object Entities
Damianos, John (is related to)
Capsopoulos, Emmanouel (is related to)
Object Description
Wood and cast lead, rectangular-shaped printing block. The print image is a representation of the Colossus of Rhodes. The male figure is standing upon block walls and straddling a canal with a ship passing through it. The Colosus is wearing a loin cloth, standing with his right hand on his hip and his left hand extended above his head, holding a flaming torch. A bow and quiver, with arrows, are slung over the Colossus' right shoulder. The Colossus wears a crown made by the radiating rays of the sun. Behind the Colossus is the image of a cloud.
Origin
Donated by John Damianos. The printing block was used in a linotype printing machine. Linotype presses allowed for the casting of entire lines to be printed at a time. Linotype printing was eventually succeeded by lithograph printing and computer typesetting during the 1960's and 1970's. This printing block was used by the Chicago-based, Greek Art Printing Company. The block was used for the printing of business cards for Colossus Construction Corporation. Colossus Corporation Corporation was owned by Emmanouel Capsopoulos and was located at 3140 N. Marmora Ave, Chicago. The Colossus of Rhodes is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, said to have stood astride the entrance to the harbor of Rhodes. The Colossus was constructed between 292 and 280 BCE in commemoration of the Rhodes' victory over the forces of Antigonus I Monophthalmus during the siege of Rhodes in 305 BCE. The Colossus was destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BCE. The Colossus is said to have stood over 30 meters (98.4 feet) high. The Colossus was constructed in the likeness of the Greek god, Helios, the Titan who drove the chariot of the Sun across the sky each day. Helios was crowned with the shining aureola of the Sun.
Rights and Reproduction
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Citation
Block, Printing, 1967, Greek Art Printing Company Artifact Collection, National Hellenic Museum, https://collections.nationalhellenicmuseum.org/Detail/objects/9830. Accessed 03/29/24.