monotype

[Ron A]

Good Day. I have a 1/8" x 1/8" tyoe bloxk with the lords prayer written, Sround the edge it has Monotyoe Lanston Machine Co Phil. This was passed down from my deceased father several years ago and he worked for a Montreal Newspaper. Can anyone tell me more about this item I.E. Point size?
This item is looking for a home where it would be appreciated. Money is not an issue...Cheers, Ron/Canada

[Dave Hughes]

Hi Ron, Welcome to the Metal Type forum.

There's a picture of the item you mention on this page:
http://blogs.whattheythink.com/blognosticator/2010/08/lord%E2%80%99s-prayer-on-a-24pt-em-square

It comes with this explanation:

To showcase Monotype's mechanical engineering prowess, in 1925 at the UK Monotype Works, the full text of the "Lord's Prayer" was cut in a matrix less than a quarter of an inch square, from which hot metal type was cast that was still readable. The project started from a 10 inch square drawing and copper outline pattern; a punch-cutting machine made a 12 point em square punch from the large pattern. A casting matrix was made from the punch, and then type was cast on a Monotype Composition Caste

The items don't seem to come up for sale on Ebay on a regular basis, so I would guess they are reasonably rare.

[Ron A]

Thanks Dave I appreciate the info..........Ron