Description
OK, here’s the story on the Arboret [No. 2] ornaments.
The Mackellar, Smiths & Jordan Foundry specimen page (pic #2 above) shows a total of 31 numbered ‘universal’ ornaments.
Each of the three sizes in which Arboret was offered apparently was furnished with a different set of 17 of them (in multiples, of course) as follows :
12pt   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 — — — — 13 14 15 — — 18 — — — — — — 25 26 27 28 — — 31   =Total: 17
18pt   1 2 — — — — — — 9 10 11 12 — — 15 16 17 18 — — — — 23 24 25 26 27 28 — — 31   =Total: 17
24pt   1 2 — — — — — — — — — — — — 15 —  — 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31   =Total:17
The Skyline matrix set (originating with Charlie Broad) has 7 ornaments in the 12pt, and 12 ornaments in the 24pt. Between them, here is what we have:
1 2 3 4 5 — 7 8 —Â —Â —Â — —Â —Â —Â —Â 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 —Â —Â 29 30 31Â Â Â =Total: 19
So the good news–and the bad news–is that in 12pt we have 11 of the original 17. In the far more important 24pt we have 14 of the original 17. The missing three are #15 rosette, #27 spear base, and #28 spear point. We have conducted a comprehensive search in the matrix vault and come up with reasonable (if not authentic) substitutes for these. Our #15 is from a Linotype decorative matrix, and the other two are Monotype ornamentals—with our #28 being an assembly of 3 separate elements.
The third picture above is our own exercise in creating an elaborate design with this historic type. Let’s see what you can do!
