Historical Archives - Metal Type

Allied Newspapers 1930s/1940s Pamphlet

Linotype Factories

Linotype factory in Baltimore — Mergenthaler’s own factory in Baltimore

The illustrations on this page are from the Ottmar Mergenthaler Museum, digitised by Doug Wilson.

You can read more about how Doug came across these images on the Metal Type forum here: Linotype: The Book. Read the Full Article . . .

Early Typesetting Machines 2

2nd Band Machine — Mergenthaler’s Second Band Machine

The illustrations on this page are from the Ottmar Mergenthaler Museum, digitised by Doug Wilson.

You can read more about how Doug came across these images on the Metal Type forum here: Linotype: The Book. Read the Full Article . . .

Intertype Trade Show Gifts

Many thanks to Rocky Baranowski, from Arizona USA, for sending in these pictures from his collection.

These gifts would have been given away at trade shows and exhibitions early in the 20th Century. Read the Full Article . . .

1953 Recruitment Ads

Thanks to Graeme Howe for sending in these recruitment ads, from the end of 1953.

I would imagine in those days the first one to apply would get the job, and earn enough money to live on. How times have changed!

British Print Trade Union Cards 1924-1945

Many thanks to Chris Greenhill for sending in his grandfather’s collection of British Print Trade Union membership cards.

His grandfather Joseph Henry Davis was born in 1884 and entered the print industry at the age of 14. You can read more about his career in London and view his indenture document here: 1898 Indentures. Read the Full Article . . .

1898 Indentures

Indenture document from 1891 — The Indenture document of Joseph Henry Davis (b1884) who began a 6 year apprenticeship with John White of Sugar Loaf Court, Garlick Hill, London in 1898, aged 14 years.

Many thanks to Chris Greenhill for sending in details of his grandfather’s long career in the print industry, along with his Indenture document, which was signed in 1898.

Chris says: “I gleaned the following from my grandfather’s last surviving daughter, my aunt. Read the Full Article . . .

William Caxton Quincentenary

Many thanks to Mike Wilson for sending in this picture of a poster that he bought in 1976.
It seems to have been very well produced and Mike tells me it is in excellent condition.

1954 Compositors Handbook

Many Thanks to Mike Wilson, from Yorkshire in the UK, for sending in this story.

This 104-page booklet was full of tables and facts for the printing trade. Read the Full Article . . .

Free Cobb Shinn Retro Clipart

Metal Type is proud to offer this superb 1950s retro clipart.

The zip file contains three versions of the same artwork in True Type Font (.ttf) Open Type Font (.otf) and Scaleable Vector Graphics (.svg) formats. Read the Full Article . . .

Editor’s Highlights . . .

Printle: A Word Puzzle for Printers Try our word puzzle – there’s a new one every week.
German “new line” linecasters The story of the most advanced linecasters ever made, with illustrations of all models.
British Print Trade Union Cards – A unique collection of typographically exquisite membership cards from Dave Bowles.
Glossary of Printing Trade Terms – George Clark’s list sheds light on a whole new language!
The Whittaker Collection – Photographs of this definitive collection of linecasters stored at the UK’s Manchester Science Museum.
Banging Out – Fleet Street Remembered -Video documentary about the UK national newspaper industry.
Farewell etaoin shrdlu – A look at the production of the last hot metal New York Times.