Doña Hipólita
This little gem of the GG Press family dates back to the 1930s. It has the original cloth cord and the heat regulator is mounted on the base board. The Kingsley Machine Company manufactures hot foil stamping machines, which are used to add golden lettering to cards, napkins, pencils and ribbons. The text is set on a type stick which is inserted in the machine with a heating element. The heat makes sure that the foil adheres to the substrate that it is pressed against.
Her name is Doña Hipólita in honor of Hipólita Bolívar, known in national folklore as "la negra". Born in Venezuela in 1763, she was a slave belonging to the wealthy Bolívar estate. She was wet nurse to the future Liberator Simón Bolívar. They picked Doña Hipólita because she was beautiful, strong, active, intelligent, honest, respectful, and sweet with kids. Simón Bolívar recognized her in his letters as his “Mother and Father.”
Simón Bolívar gave her freedom in 1821, after the Carabobo Battle. She, together with another freed slave named Negra Matea, volunteered as nurses and cooks on every battle that Bolivar fought.
So, with Doña Hipólita, we complete the presentation of the current GG Press family. We hope to add more vintage members soon! Stay tuned!
