All-Purpose Linotype

All-Purpose Linotype

Details of the APL (Linotype’s version of the Ludlow) taken from “Linotype Machine Principles” published in 1940.

THE ALL-PURPOSE LINOTYPE (APL) is a complete, self-contained unit for the casting of type in the form of slugs, in faces ranging from 6 point to 144 point; for casting of furniture, rules, borders, decorative and spacing material from 6 to 72 point body, and 42 picas in length. Read the Full Article . . .

Anatomy of a Linotype

Linotype Assembly Mechanism

Assembly


FEATURES of the Linotype Assembly Mechanism taken from “Linotype Leadership” published in 1930 by the Mergenthaler Linotype Company.

1 – Swinging Keyboard
2 – Removable Keyboard cams
3 – Single Power-Driven Keyboard
4 – Keyboard Lock
5 – Escapement
6 – Die-Cut Cams and One-Piece Yoke
7 – Keyboard Rubber Roll
8 – Complete Bank of Key Bars Removable as a Unit
9 – Assembler Front
10 – Assembler Entrance Cover
11 – Geared Assembler Drive
12 – Offset Assembling Elevator
13 – Endless Matrix Delivery Belt
14 – Assembler with Quick-Removable Star Wheel
15 – Rapid Change of Measure
16 – Line Delivery Carriage
17 – Assembler Slide Roller Bearing
18 – Assembling Elevator
19 – Adjustable Spaceband Key
20 – Linotype Spaceband and Slide
21 – Four Thicknesses of Spacebands Read the Full Article . . .

International Printing Museum

Intertype C4
At the International Printing Museum, we have been restoring a circa 1956 C-4 Intertype. As noted, this pix was taken the first day I was able to cast on the machine. The legend is a proof of the casting. The Linotype to my left is a model 32 which is also operational. I am thoroughly enjoying learning to operate these machines. I am doing pretty well with the keyboarding. I am also very good at producing jams but haven’t mastered the un-jamming techniques as yet.

A Model 31 Linotype at the International Printing Museum, plus some other pics, kindly donated by Dr Leland Whitson.

Linotype Factory, Brooklyn

Linotype factory
A picture of the Linotype Factory in Brooklyn, New York, USA. I would guess (looking at the vehicles) it dates from some time between the turn of the 20th Century and World War One. The small print at the bottom proclaims it to be “The Largest Composing Machine Factory in the World.” I think it may have been produced as a postcard.

A superb colour illustration of the Linotype Factory in Brooklyn, New York, USA from about 1900-1920. Kindly sent in by Roy Daniels.

Linotype fan? Don’t miss the Linotype Chat section of the Metal Type Forum. Read the Full Article . . .

Printing House Museum

Linotype keyboard
The linotype keyboard. Spacebar to the left, then lower case, numbers, etc. are in the blue section and caps on the right. There is an expanding spaceband on the tray above. The blue section also contained the now little-used ligatures (fi, fl, ff, ffi, ffl).

The photographs on the following pages were all taken at The Printing House Museum, Cockermouth, Cumbria, UK. The museum unfortunately closed down in 2010.

Linotype fan? Don’t miss the Linotype Chat section of the Metal Type Forum. Read the Full Article . . .