Gutenberg Machine Co.

Rebuilt Linotypes

Spotted for sale on eBay recently, this advertisement, dating from 1909, offers to upgrade the Linotype Model 1 to a two-letter machine.

The advert states: All worn parts replaced by new. Guaranteed to produce as good a slug as from a new machine. All machines sold with new matrices and new spacebands. Read the Full Article . . .

The Semagraph

Semagraph
IN June 1932, Everyday Science and Mechanics reported on a new photoelectronic cell reader called the Semagraph, which was an automatic typesetter operating unit.

Many thanks to George Finn for contributing this article.

Copy (1) prepared on a special typewriter was fed into the machine, guided by sprocket holes each side of the sheet, similar to continuous stationery. Read the Full Article . . .

The Aldentype

Aldentype
IN 1857, a U.S. patent was issued for the design of a typesetting machine invented by Timothy Alden of New York (No. 18,175).

This is the first such machine that actually operated.

The type was arranged in cells around the circumference of a horizontal wheel. As the wheel revolved, several receivers also started to rotate. The desired type was picked up and dropped in proper order in a line. Read the Full Article . . .

Novice Linotype Operators

Novice linotype operator
THIS photo is dated October 1929 and looks like a publicity photograph for a film. The “operator” is very impressively working without any copy, but appears to have been distracted by something to the right of the machine!

Here’s a couple of photographs that have been offered for sale on eBay recently. Both seem to fit neatly under the heading of novice linotype operators.

Do you like to buy print-related items on eBay? Then check out our eBay Listings (US & UK) section on the Forum. Read the Full Article . . .

Linotype Europa

Overview of the Linotype Europa, 1966
Overview of the Linotype Europa, 1966.

Ralf Hermann sent in these pictures of a Linotype Europa, which was featured in the German publication, Linotype Post, Issue 65, dated March 1966.

The article said that this new model was based on the existing four-magazine mixing model 10a IV. Read the Full Article . . .

1913 Intertype Advertisement

Intertype advert
ADVERTISEMENT for the Intertype by the International Typesetting Machine Company, c1913

This item was recently offered for sale on eBay.

Strong claims here for the Intertype and an illustration of what appears to be a Model A machine. Read the Full Article . . .

Califorms Printing Company, 1976

Tony Bassano
TONY BASSANO operating an Intertype C4-1 at Califorms Printing Company, San Jose, California, USA, c1976

Many thanks to Tony Bassano for sending in this picture of himself seated at the Intertype that he operated for 23 years.

Says Tony: “Here is a photograph of me circa 1976 setting type on the C4-1 Intertype machine I operated for Califorms Printing Company in San Jose, California for 23 years. Read the Full Article . . .

1915 Linotype Advertisement

Linotype advert
THIS c1915 advertising postcard compares the Linotype Model 9 to the Blower Linotype.

This illustrated advertising postcard was recently offered for sale on eBay.

Under the 1886 illustration of a rather shabby-looking Blower it states: “One face, one body, one measure.” Read the Full Article . . .

Funditor Supersaw

Funditor supersaw
AS AN aid to precision and increased production the modern trim-saw is of marked value in many forms of Linotype and Intertype work.

Taken from the book “Operation and Mechanism of the Linotype and Intertype” by J Ashworth, first published in 1955.

Used with Linotypes and Intertypes, these saws extend the scope of work from the keyboard to cover line measures from one em to lines of any length. Very narrow measures can be set as normal-measure work at the keyboard, and the slugs cut on the saw to the measures required. Read the Full Article . . .

Intertype Fotosetter

The Intertype Fotosetter
The Intertype Fotosetter.

Taken from the book “Operation and Mechanism of the Linotype and Intertype” by J Ashworth, first published in 1955.

The Intertype Fotosetter, many models of which are in commercial use in the United States, is similar in appearance and general operation to the standard Intertype slug machine. Read the Full Article . . .