Compound printed labels for H C Stephens ink and steel pens

These labels are pasted into a 'guard book' or album of compound printed labels created by Bryan Donkin Company Ltd. Compound printing was invented by Sir William Congreve, who patented the process in 1821. This process was designed to elaborately engrave printing plates which would be printed in two colours, making it much more difficult to forge bank notes.

In 1821, Bryan Donkin built for Congreve a 'rose engine', a geometric lathe to engrave compound printing plates. During the nineteenth century, the Bryan Donkin company produced compound printed labels for other companies to use on their packaging to prevent counterfeit products from masquerading as the real thing.