Title: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited

Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1897, Wellington

Part of: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

McKee and Gamble (Arthur McKee see page 728), Publishers, Engravers by all modern methods, Art Lithographers and Printers, Electrotypers and Stereotypers, Advertising Specialists, Paper Merchants, Manufacturing Stationers, etc. Telegraphic and cable address, “McKee, Wellington”: Code, A.B.C., 4th Edition and Special. Telephone 709; P.O. Box 240. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. Private residence: Mr. McKee, Mein Street. To describe the progress of this business is to record the most rapid development of any firm in the printing trade in New Zealand that has yet come under the notice of the compilers of the Cyclopedia. The business is not an old-established one; it was started in 1891 in a very small way. Prior to that time Mr. H. Gamble, single-handed, carried on business as an electrotyper and stereotyper, and when Mr. McKee came along and a partnership was effected, a small office was taken in the Bank of New South Wales buildings on Lambton Quay. Here a series of experiments were carried on with a view of producing process engravings—an art unknown in New Zealand at that time. The work was surrounded by many difficulties. The plant was of an improvised character, as may be judged from the fact that an unusually large-size packing case did duty as a dark room. At the end of the first year's operations, the partners were confronted by a very stern reality—a diminishing bank balance; and the fascinating, but delusive experiments had to be abandoned (save in space time) for work of a more practical and lucrative character. A secondhand printing plant of very modest dimensions was bought, and the real start of the business was made. At the end of the second year more commodious premises were taken at 6 Customhouse Quay, and a year later half of the large four-storied building at the rear was annexed. It must not be supposed that during all this time the pet “process” experiments were abandoned, for in the odd hours Mr. Gamble was hard at work, as zealous and enthusiastic as ever. It was at this time that the process engravings were put on the market, and since then the quality of the work has gradually increased, and page 734 today it is claimed that no better average work is turned out anywhere in the colonies. During the past two years the growth of the business has been by leaps and bounds. The description appended will give an idea of the various branches of work carried on. Altogether, employment is found for between sixty and seventy people, and, it need hardly be added, the wages sheet represents a considerable sum. The general management of the business is in the hands of Mr. McKee. A dissolution of the partnership took place in 1897 by mutual arrangement; Mr. James Gamble remaining in the business as overseer of the factory, and his brother leaving the Colony for another sphere of work. The floorage space occupied by the firm is estimated at over 18,000 square feet. It is generally conceded that Messrs. McKee and Gamble have the largest and best-equipped printing factory in the Empire City, and the excellent quality of the work turned out has done much to improve the artistic standard. Messrs. McKee and Gamble were the first printers in the Southern Hemisphere to adopt electricity as a motive power. The machinery was driven for some time entirely by an electric motor, but as the number of machines rapidly increased it was found necessary to add a twelve horse-power gas engine. The electric light is used throughout, and includes in the photographic department the most powerful lamp in the Colony. The ramifications of the business extend throughout Australasia.

Printers.—To enumerate the varieties of work which pass through the machines would make a catalogue of startling proportions—running, as it would, the gamut from the modest visiting card to the more pretentious volume, such, for example, as the Cyclopedia of New Zealand. The modern printer must needs keep pace with the times, and it is no exaggeration to say that Messrs. McKee and Gamble “go one better,” for they keep abreast of the times. The very latest designs in types and ornaments, gathered from all corners of the earth, are placed at the disposal of customers, and it is a treat not often vouchsafed to the artistic eye to pass under review the specimens of typographic work, which may justly be regarded as artistic triumphs that would astonish old Caxton himself. The composing or type-setting room occupies the first floor of the factory, and the machine room is on the ground-floor. The latter, at the time of writing, is the largest and best equipped machine room in the Empire City. The machinery is of an up-to-date character, and

A Corner of the Machine Room.

McKee & Gamble's Trade with Australia,—The First of a Series of Fortnightly Shipments to Melbourne and Sydney.

page 735

The Composing Room.

includes two Double Royal Wharfedales, which are used entirely for the printing of process engravings.

Photo-engravers.—This is perhaps the most interesting department of the business, and it has been stated that Messrs. McKee and Gamble employ a larger staff of trained hands and turn out more engravings than any other firm in Australasia. The department is equipped with the most up-to-date machinery

The Engine Room.

and appliances, and special attention is given to the demands of modern commercial warfare best quality, quick delivery, and low price. Photo-engraving, during the last five years, has done much to revolutionize the pictorial embellishment of journalism and literature throughout the world. The art is divided into two important branches half-tone engraving and line engraving. By the former process engravings can be made with the aid of photography and chemistry direct from photographs and wash drawings particularly, but also generally from almost any form of drawing or illustration. A line engraving, on the other hand, can be made only from illustrations in which there is no half-tone, such, for instance, as pen and ink sketches and outline drawings generally. “Line” blocks are almost invariably used for newspaper advertising, and half-tone blocks for catalogues, books, etc., where good paper and good ink are used. It is worth knowing that the firm referred to are in a position to quote below London prices for contract work. The quality of their work is too well known to need any expatiation. They are the contractors for the making of the engravings—from 5000 to 10,000—for the Cyclopedia, and at the time of writing they are engaged in making 384 9x7 engravings for the “Imperial Album of New Zealand Scenery,” and 384 similar engravings for “Glimpses of Australia.” These two publications constitute perhaps the best advertisements the Colonies have yet had. They are published, fortnightly, in one shilling parts, of which considerably over half-a-million have been issued, and subscribers for the most part post the publication to friends in the Old Country. The publishing of the Australian work is in the capable hands of Messrs. Gordon and Gotch, whose ramifications extend to every town and hamlet in Australia. “Glimpses of Australia” is the result of a trip to those Colonies made by Mr. McKee in 1896. Over one hundred tons of a specially-made art paper was absorbed in the production of the work. A two-storey brick building, connecting the front building in Customhouse Quay with the factory in Victoria Street, has recently been erected to provide the accommodation much needed by the rapid development of the business. Here are to be found the advanced appointments which are so closely associated with modern scientific research. To provide for the execution of work irrespective of natural light, an installation of electric light has been put in, so that work can be done expeditiously and at any hour of the day. Special machinery for the printing of process engravings has been added, and includes two large machines.

Photographers.—It may seem somewhat singular that a printing, engraving, and publishing house should claim a place under this head, but justification is found in the fact that photography is a very important adjunct to the business carried on. The general acceptance of the term photographer is intimately associated with the art by which portraits “are taken.” Messrs. McKee and Gamble, however, do not “take” portraits. Their photographic work is confined to the branch which is connected with their own process-engraving department; the photographing of landscape, of machinery, of articles of merchandise for catalogues, or indeed of any objects intended for ultimate reproduction in the form of engravings. Prospective publishers of books, catalogues, pamphlets, and the like would do well to bear in mind this fact.

Photographic Room.

General Engravers.—In addition to the photo-mechanical processes all the modern methods for the making of “blocks” are in full swing. Engravings on copper, brass, wood, or any metal or material are supplied, but this class of work is being rapidly supplanted by the cheaper and in most cases equally effective “process block.” Engravings are also made at a very cheap rate by the “wax” process.

Electrotypers and Stereotypers—Here the visitor will and a most interesting feature of this remarkable organization. If space permitted, a description of the modus operandi would be worth the reading, but if must suffice to state that the work carried on is confined to the duplication of original engravings. The customer who incurs the expense of a high-class engraving may have duplicates made equal to the original at a merely nominal cost. The stereotype consists of lead and antimony, and the electrotype is made of the same material with a surface of copper, which gives it at least thrice the durability of the stereotype. Here as in all other departments the latest in the way of machinery and appliances is in evidence. Messrs. McKee and Gamble's warehouse contains several thousand stock engravings, used by the newspapers and printers throughout the Colony, and duplicates are supplied at a very low price. Two proof catalogues have been issued. For the convenience of country newspapers, stereotype columns of interesting reading matter are supplied at a surprisingly low rate.

Art-lithographers and Photo-lithographers.—A very interesting limb of the business is this. Anything from a tiny label of a single printing to the mammoth poster with the flame of innumerable colours is set forth. If the rattle of machines is an index to the quantity of work produced, the volume of trade must be considerable and in the colonies it may be taken as a safe axiom that quantity and quality go hand in hand. Great care has evidently been exercised in the selection of artists and workmen, and to this fact is attributable the production of the really excellent work which has spread the reputation of the firm far afield. Label and ordinary commercial work are strong points, but it is particularly in the higher class of work that Messrs. McKee and Gamble excel. Some very fine show cards are on view, especially those of the Empire Tea Company, Messrs. Staples and Co., K[unclear: a]ngarette leather and Messrs. Birnbaum and Sons' waterproofs; and in chalk work the life-size portraits of Sir George Grey, Bishop Jul[gap — reason: illegible], Rev. L. M. Isitt, and Archbishop Redwood, and a view of Old Wellington, have not been excelled in the colonies. Then, there is an excellent display of calendars, menu cards, almanaes, advertising novelties and the like, all of which are remarkable for chasteness of design and colour. Photo-lithography is applied to many branches of the art, but it is chiefly used for the re-production in reduced sizes of architects and surveyors' plans. The camera does the work of the draughtsman, and accuracy and economy are ensured.

Paper Store and Engraving Room.

Paper Merchants.—The consumption of paper is necessarily considerable, for in addition to the quantity used on the premises, a brisk business is done with other printing houses. Several of the leading mills in England, Germany, and America “make” under contract for

The Store Room.

page 737 Messrs. McKee and Gamble. The stock carried is extensive, and includes papers of all sizes, colours, qualities, and patterns to be found in a well-ordered establishment of this kind.

Manufacturing and Wholesale Stationers.—A large number of hands are engaged in this department, the output of which includes numerous varieties of books used in mercantile offices—exercise books, and the like.

Bookbinders.—“Everything done on the premises” is evidently the motto of the proprietors. Here the loose printed sheets are manipulated into book-form and sent forth to the world in the variegated dresses of the bookbinders' creation. At the time of writing the department

The Binding Room.

is engaged in preparing the various bindings to be used for “The Cyclopedia of New Zealand” and “The Imperial Album of New Zealand Scenery,”—two of the largest contracts yet undertaken by a New Zealand firm.

Publishers.—The head of one of the biggest publishing houses in the Old Country once remarked, “It needs talent to write a book but genius to sell it,” and in all probability, if it were necessary to rake up evidence, the charnel-house of literature would bear eloquent witness to the truth of this sage declaration. The aspiring literateur may take heart of grace, for Messrs. McKee and Gamble have a far-reaching organization for the distribution of really good works.

Music Printers.—This is the most recent addition to this many sided business. An expert draughtsman, who is also a music-composer of note, has charge of the preparation of the work on the stones, and it is generally conceded by experts that the quality of the work will bear favourable—and in many cases more than favourable—comparison with the work that comes into the colonies from the Old Country. The trade extends throughout Australasia. The compositions of our best composers have been published; and it may be mentioned that the work of Mr. Alfred Hill is becoming very popular. His “My Fairest Child” and “When I am Dead” have been very flatteringly received in Melbourne, Sydney and London.

Rubber Stamp and Stencil-Plate Makers.—The most complete catalogue of designs suitable for rubber stamps that the compilers have yet

The Mounting Room.

seen, has been prepared, and quality of material and workmanship are other attractions offered to customers. Stencil-plates in zinc, copper and brass are supplied at the lowest current rates.

Cardboard Box Manufacturers.—This department is under the supervision of a skilled box-maker and the rapidity with which raw material under the manipulation of deft fingers assumes the desired shape is a marvel to beholders. The boxes made are those in everyday use by chemists, drapers, hatters, confectioners, and cigarette makers.

Advertising Specialists.—There is no essential of successful business more important than judicious advertising, and yet the art of catching the public ear and eye receive but scant consideration. Speaking generally, the art is not studied and therefore is not understood. The average business man has not time “to work it out,” and therefore it is no matter for surprise that he is unable to detect the great leakage that goes on daily. With Messrs. McKee and Gamble it is purely a matter of business to keep in touch with the latest notions supplied by correspondents and trade papers from the four corners of the globe, and clients on the lookout for “something new” are invited to come along and state their requirements. It may be added that contracts for advertising in the country newspapers are arranged.