Yes, that is a cork platen without a shadow of doubt !  You really have won there, particularly if the feedrolls underneath are also cork (which they often are when a cork platen is present)  You will never have the major expense of having the platen re-rubbered.  You can sand these down lightly using 100 grit emery cloth or sandpaper.  Take the platen out and wrap the sandpaper round the platen with your left hand whilst turning with your right.  It will make your wrists ache, but you will be suprised how well it comes up afterwards !

Hello again,

Sorry, still thinking about this platen thing. Does anyone know if this was offered as an option (Cork platen) or was it simply a case of using what was available at the time of production.
Having looked it up now I know what it is, its use seems a bit random and was used by different manufacturers as well. Maybe just an early 1900's trial and error experiment to see what the users thought?
Your thoughts please,

Alan.
 

As Uwe says, cork was often offered as an alternative to rubber both on new machines and aftermarket.  I think that this must have died out before the 1960's because it certainly wasn't possible to get cork platens when I started in the trade in the mid-1970's.  The advantage of cork is longevity.  The disadvantage is that it never grips the paper as well as rubber - even worse when both platen and feedrolls are cork.  Cork platens are quite common on Imperial typewriters that were made in England during the war.  We were very short of materials then, so cork was probably the only game in town.  I have even seen wartime typewriters with cork feet - both portables and standards.

Q. Just wondering, what was the point of cork over rubber?
A. The advantage of cork is longevity.  The disadvantage is that it never grips the paper as well as rubber - even worse when both platen and feedrolls are cork. 

I think (but am not sure) that cork platens were made specifically for cutting stencils.