Monotype Composition Matrices and Wooden Cases

[Miranda]

Hi, I have some monotype composition matrices with their wooden cases and I was wondering if these might be of interest to anyone. They belonged to my parents who used to have a printing company a long time ago. Just want to make sure they go to a good home. Any ideas for any printing museums or other organisations that might find them of interest/useful?

[Dave Hughes]

Hi Miranda, and welcome to the Forum.

Am I right in presuming that you are from the UK? If so, which part? There may be someone with an operational Monotype machine nearby who could make use of the items.

[David Bolton]

Not sure how useful the pieces might be - the stopbars and keybars look rather rusty. The sorts box is rather empty, but what typeface is in it, and what faces and sizes are in the matrix cases - the label on one box is too faint to read the face and size. Knowing all that might help find a good home. If really no luck, then rather than scrap them, I could possibly help, but where are you located?

David Bolton
Oxford

[Miranda]

Hi thank you so much for your replies. I am so sorry I have no idea what the typeface is or the size, I just don't know what I am looking at sadly. My father was apprenticed as a printer in the 1950's and worked in printing all his life. He died in 1993 and I found these in my mother's garage recently but we don't really know anything about them.

I am in Basingstoke in Hampshire. If there is anyone nearby that would like them they would be most welcome to have them. Just want to see them go to a good home. If they are of no use to anyone though then that's okay, just good to know!