Philosateleia
Kevin Blackston
PO Box 217
Floresville TX 78114-0217
United States of America

Blog archives (May 2023)

Southworth tabletop perforating machine for sale in Texas

Update: this machine has been sold. Thank you for your interest!

In 2016, my family and I drove from Jacksonville, Florida, down to the Tampa area so that I could purchase a Southworth perforating machine. That perforator has served me well ever since.

I recently had the opportunity to purchase another Southworth perforator, and it’s time now to find a new home for my old machine.

Southworth tabletop perforating machine
Southworth tabletop perforating machine

Details

This Southworth perforator, which was most likely manufactured sometime in the 1910s or 1920s, can perforate a straight line approximately 15 inches long. It is the largest tabletop model of which I’m aware; although Rosback did much later reportedly manufacture a tabletop machine that could perforate a 12-inch line, most antique tabletop perforators can punch a line only 10 inches long.

Page from 1923 American Type Founders Company catalogue
1923 advertisement for Southworth perforators

The perforator has wood (ash) tables and is complete with metal paper alignment guides or brackets on both front and rear. With the tables, the machine measures approximately 2 feet square, and being comprised primarily of cast iron, it is very heavy.

There is evidence of repairs (i.e., apparent welding) to the lower arms attaching each end of the head to the metal posts that keep it aligned. Whatever caused the break appears to have happened long ago, and certainly long before I ever acquired the machine.

Although the repair was done solidly, it was not done perfectly. The right end of the head rides slightly higher than the left end, and as a result, I have from time to time had issues getting clean perforations if I align the paper I'm perforating toward the right end of the perforator head. This is not a problem that occurs frequently, but I mention it for full transparency.

Although the pins in the machine are in good condition, I’ve confirmed that Rosback perforator pins fit perfectly just in case you ever need to replace them.

Pins in Southworth tabletop perforating machine
Pins in Southworth tabletop perforating machine

Price

I’m asking $500 for this Southworth perforator with local pickup available in the San Antonio, Texas, area. Due to the machine’s size and weight, I regret that I’m unable to offer to ship it as there is simply no way for me to do that economically.

The end table on which the perforator is sitting in the photo at the beginning of this blog post is not included in the purchase price.

If you’re interested, please contact me and I’ll be happy to provide additional photos and answer any questions you might have.