It seems like we spend half our time doing maintenance, repairs and problem-solving to keep these venerable old casters running—but every month we manage to have something worthwhile to show for it. So let’s go railroadin’! In Collection No. 44 we present that famous old Figgins train, as shown in the 1887 specimen of England’s type foundry by that name. There are two sizes of it (24 & 30pt) in the Collection. They are identical in design except that in the smaller size the locomotive has been reversed and is now westbound. Lots of multiples for each piece.
On the next track we find Collection No. 45: eight different locomotives, all 19th century, and again plenty of multiples.
For printing your tickets and timetables, here’s 18 point Pacific, a delightful Victorian released by American Type Founders in 1892, their first year in existence as an amalgamation of numerous regional foundries.
At Skyline we have never linked or endorsed any other business on our web site. But there’s a first time for everything, and Josef Beery’s little Book Beetle is so —uh,—impressive, that we can’t help but urge you to check it out. It’s a neat little tabletop wooden hand press that he has designed, put into production, and is selling quite reasonably. (This was brought to our attention by a customer who pointed out that he was recommending Skyline type in the Book Beetle instruction manual.) When you have a minute, take a look at his cool web site, www.bookbeetlepress.com, and we’ll see you next month.