It’s not easy to trace the date and origin of decorative typographical elements. Like type faces, they do have a designer, but the foundries of old did not seem to regard it as necessary or appropriate to give credit to the artist. In the 20th century there are some exceptions to this: for example, the twin sets of 11-element Bruce Rogers Combination Ornaments from Monotype (STF Collections No. 13 & 14). The 1939 Linotype catalog offers matrices for the 8-element Dwiggins Abstract Florets (our Collection No. 5) and their 1958 catalog shows more ornaments designed by William Addison Dwiggins as well as his 45 Caravan Borders—these are matrix slides, for casting 30-pica slugs, of which Skyline (alas) has none. But back to the original point. The decorative elements that proliferated in the glory days of hot metal often have origins shrouded in the mysterious past. With that buildup we unveil this month’s new casting, the single-element Border No. 598 in 24 point. If you’re a kid you can call it the Squiggle, if an adult, the Maze; if you’re not sure which of those categories you qualify for, it’s the Squiggle Maze. Visualize it possibly used as a background, set solid and printed in a light color.
Recasts for May: Collection No. 63; Quads & Spacing in 36pt and 42pt. We’re ramping up the Dutch Auction page, where all our used type sales are now consolidated. Last month 53 new listings were posted, including some wood type and rare 19th century metal fonts. Prices drop 4% every calendar week—but many of the goodies are snarfed up within days or even hours. You snooze, you lose!
We got an email from a foreign customer (hispanic) inquiring if we sold “typometers”. I was somewhat nonplussed until he sent a photo of a 36-pica steel pocket rule. We had a quantity of pica rules made some years ago with the Skyline brand—we’re down to just a few left now, but they are officially Typometers henceforth!