Blue Pencil no. 68—Specimens of Wood Type 1900–2000
This is part of a series of posts listing type specimens that have been digitized and placed online. Many of them are downloadable in whole or as individual pages. This is the second part of a list that focuses on specimens of wood type. It includes not only specimens from wood type manufacturers, but also specimens from type foundries that offer either wood type or large sizes of some of their metal types in wood. [1] The first part of the list, which covers the 19th century, can be found at Blue Pencil no. 67.
Warning: accurate dating of type specimens is notoriously complicated. The dates listed here come from the various institutions and organizations that have digitized them. In most cases they have not consulted with a type specialist and thus there are mistakes. Whenever I have noticed such a mistake or when one has been brought to my attention I have included that information here.
c.1900
Manufacture de Caractères en Bois et Matériel de l’Imprimerie
Ardon, Valais [Switzerland]: A. Martin et Cie., n.d. [post-1896]
Bibliothèques Patrimoniales / Bibliothèque Forney
[Dated c.1900 by Bibliothèque Forney.]
[Wood type in “deux couleurs” is shown on PDF pp. 117–130.]
The website of Eric Nunes-Carnet includes a “Chronologie des fabricants francophones de caractères en bois” which says this firm existed 1876–1937.
[A. Martin & Cie. Ardon, Valais-Suisse, n.d.]
Bibliothèques Patrimoniales / Bibliothèque Forney
[broadside with border but no type other than the heading]
Complete Catalogue (Pocket Edition) of Type and Printers’ Material
New York: P.H. Bresnan Type Founding Co. n.d.
RIT Digital Collections
[Wood type is shown on pp. 383–385.]
Nos. 3902–3905 from Manufacture de Caractères en Bois et Matériel de l’Imprimerie (Ardon, Valais [Switzerland]): A. Martin et Cie., n.d. Image from Bibliothèque Forney.
1900
Muster-Sammlung von Wilhelm Woellmer’s Schriftgiesserei und Messinglinien-Fabrik, Stempelschneiderei Gravir-Anstalt…
Berlin: 1900
Staatsbibliothek Berlin
[Wood type (Holzschriften) is shown on PDF pp. 511–522.]
1901
Hamilton’s Wood Type
Two Rivers, Wisconsin: Hamilton Manufacturing Co., 1901
University of Wisconsin at Madison / Silver Buckle Press Collection
Harrild & Sons Complete Illustrated Catalogue of Printers’, Bookbinders” & Stationers’ Machinery & Materials…
London: “Fleet” Works, n.d.
type.org.uk
[pp. 38–39 have prices for “wood-letter”; but no wood type is shown]
Specimen Book
Boston: H.C. Hansen Type Foundry 1901
RIT Digital Collections
[Wood type is on pp. 78–80 (image pp. 43–45).]
[Annenberg, p. 146]
View of Harrild & Sons and Fleet Works building in London c.1901. From Harrild & Sons Complete Illustrated Catalogue of Printers’, Bookbinders” & Stationers’ Machinery & Materials… (London: “Fleet” Works, n.d.). Image from The Type Library.
1902
Specimen Book of Type and Printing Material
Boston: H.C. Hansen Type Founder, n.d.
Google Books
[Google Books says 1903, but internal content (pp. 86, 118, and 130) indicates 1902.]
[Wood type is on pp. 131, 201–203.]
[Annenberg, p. 146 lists 1901 and c.1903, but not 1902.]
1903
Damon & Peets: Manufacturers and Dealers in Printing Presses, Paper Cutters, Cabinets, Wood Goods of every description, Brass Rules, Brass Galleys, Etc.…
New York: Damon & Peets, n.d.
Hathitrust
[with a price list dated January 1903]
[Wood type is shown on pp. 412–438 (PDF pp. 440–466).]
[Annenberg, p. 127]
1904
Day & Collins, Ltd. Wood Type, Printing and Bookbinding Materials
London: Atlas Works, 1904
Museum of Wood Type and Ornaments
[only front binding shown]
n.d.
Harrild & Sons’ Complete Illustrated Catalogue of Printers’, Bookbinders’ & Stationers’ Machinery & Materials…
London: “Fleet Works”, n.d.
type.org.uk
[No “wood letter” is shown, but price lists can be found on pp. c38–c39 (image 46–47).]
c.1904–1905
Proben-Buch: Schriften, Einfassungen etc.; | Extrait du Spécimen: Caractères, Vignettes, Filets; | Specimen Book: Letters, Borders, Brass Rules; | Libro de Muestras: Tipos, Adornos, Filetas etc.
Leipzig: Julius Klinkhardt Schriftgiesserei, n.d.
Stiftung Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin
[Wood type is shown on PDF pp. 343–358; the specimens are printed in dark blue on light green paper]
Holzschriften Nrs. 2457–2461 from Proben-Buch: Schriften, Einfassungen etc.; | Extrait du Spécimen: Caractères, Vignettes, Filets; | Specimen Book: Letters, Borders, Brass Rules; | Libro de Muestras: Tipos, Adornos, Filetas etc. (Leipzig: Julius Klinkhardt Schriftgiesserei, n.d.). Image from Stiftung Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin
c.1906
Specimens of Wood Letter… Ornaments, Borders, &c.
London: H.W. Caslon & Co., Ltd., Letter Founders, n.d. [c.1906]
type.org.uk
[My dating of the specimen is based on the presence of several members of the Cheltenham family.]
Armorial from Specimens of Wood Letter Giving Number of Letters to the Foot, also Borders and Corners, Ornaments, &c. (London: H.W. Caslon & Co., Ltd., Letter Founders, n.d. [c.1906]). Image from The Type Library.
1907?
Catalog No. 14 The Hamilton Manufacturing Company: Modern Cabinets, Furniture and Materials for Printers
Two Rivers, Wisconsin: [1907?]
Hathitrust
[Hathitrust provides no explanation for its dating of 1907?]
[no wood type is shown, only equipment]
Hamiltons [sic] Specimens of Wood Type Faces 17th edition
Two Rivers, Wisconsin: The Hamilton Mfg. Co., n.d.
Universiteit Utrecht
[Universiteit Utrecht dates this as 1901, but internal evidence indicates it is 1907. Not in Kelly, unless it is a variant of his 1906 specimen.]
Modern Printing Office Furniture
Two Rivers, Wisconsin: Hamilton Manufacturing Co., n.d.
Museum of Wood Type and Ornaments
[cover only; section from Catalogue No. 17]
1907
Types of the De Vinne Press: Specimens for the Use of Compositors, Proofreaders and Publishers
New York : Theodore L. De Vinne & Co., 1907
Hathitrust
[Wood types can be found on pp. 121–123, 204–212, 360–361, and 381.]
n.d. [c.1908?]
Hamilton Printing Plant Equipment: Galley, Storage and Lock-Up Section
Two Rivers, Wisconsin: Hamilton Manufacturing Co., n.d.
Museum of Wood Type and Ornaments
[cover only; section from Catalogue No. 17]
1909
A Book of Types: Borders, Ornaments, Brass Rule, Printing Materials and the Like for Printerdom
Boston: Hansen Type Foundry, 1909
Circuitous Root
[Hansen boasts a wood pattern department; wood type is on pp. 315–322.]
[Annenberg, p. 146]
A Book of Types: Borders, Ornaments, Brass Rule, Printing Materials and the Like for Printerdom
Boston: Hansen Type Foundry, 1909
Google Books
[Hansen boasts a wood pattern department; wood type is on pp. 315–322.]
[Annenberg, p. 146]
A Book of Types: Borders, Ornaments, Brass Rule, Printing Materials and the Like for Printerdom
Boston: Hansen Type Foundry, 1909
Universiteit Utrecht
[Wood type is on pp. 315–322.]
[Annenberg, p. 146]
1910
New and Second-Hand Printing Type
Melbourne: F.T. Wimble & Co., 1910
National Library of Australia
[wood type is shown on PDF pp. 73–117]
1914
Block Fraktur Holz 12 cic
Berlin: H. Berthold AG, 1914
Stiftung Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin
[single page from a specimen book]
1915
Wood Letter Printers’ Joinery Machinery
Sheffield and London: Stephenson, Blake & Co., 1915
type.org.uk
[The “Specimens of Wood Letter, Borders and Ornaments” begin at image 72–73.]
Old Style Grotesque from Wood Letter Printers’ Joinery Machinery (Sheffield and London: Stephenson, Blake & Co., 1915). Image from The Type Library.
1918[?]
Wood type and Borders
Ludington, Michigan: Tubbs Manufacturing Co., n.d.
RIT Libraries Digital Collections
[Rebound with The Hamilton Manufacturing Co. cover; RIT dates this as 1918 as does Kelly for a Hamilton/Tubbs specimen in the Columbia University Rare Book & Manuscript Library, but internal evidence indicates 1905.]
Beautiful Poster Letters / Paragraph or Poster Fonts from Wood type and Borders (Ludington, Michigan: Tubbs Manufacturing Co., n.d.). Image from RIT Libraries.
1920s
[Roman Scherer wood type catalogue]
Lucerne: n.d.
Vimeo [Letterform Archive]
[There is no title page; the catalogue includes many Art Nouveau typefaces such as Eckmannschrift and Calligraphia as well as chromatic types.]
1923
Empire Type Foundry: Catalogue No. 18
Buffalo: Empire Type Foundry, 1923
RIT Digital Collections
[Wood type is on pp. 41–58 (image pp. 23–30).]
[Annenberg, p. 133 has an entry for Empire State Type Foundry and a single specimen book c.1890.]
c.1925
S.A. Fabrique de Caractères en Bois Roman Scherer Lucerne Suisse no. 24
Lucerne: Roman Scherer, c.1925
Bibliothèques Patrimoniales / Bibliothèque Forney
S.A. Fabrique de Caractères en Bois Roman Scherer Lucerne Suisse no. 25
Lucerne: Roman Scherer, c.1925
Bibliothèques Patrimoniales / Bibliothèque Forney
[entirely borders, ornaments, pointing hands, etc.]
Série 6022 from S.A. Fabrique de Caractères en Bois Roman Scherer Lucerne Suisse no. 24 (Lucerne: Roman Scherer, c.1925). Image from Bibliothèque Forney.
[1926]
Gothics and Wood Border
Two Rivers, Wisconsin: The Hamilton Manufacturing Co., [1926]
University of Wisconsin at Madison Libraries / Silver Buckle Press Collection
[not in Kelly]
[1928]
Plakatschriften: Abteilung für Plakatschriften
Leipzig: J.G. Schelter & Giesecke, n.d. [1928]
Internet Archive
[There is an internal date of 1927 and a date of 1928 on the back cover.]
[This is a specimen of poster types in both wood and metal.]
Nachtrag divider page from Plakatschriften: Abteilung für Plakatschriften (Leipzig: J.G. Schelter & Giesecke, n.d. [1928]). Image from the Internet Archive.
[1929]
Holztypen
Berlin: Johannes Wagner & Co. and Norddeutsche Schriftgiesserei, [1929]
Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin
Ziffernprobe: Ziffern, geschnitten in den Graden von Perl bis acht Cicero, Fahrplanziffern, Ziffern für Preislisten sowie Kataloge, Holz-Ziffern von fünf Cicero aufwärts
Berlin: Norddeutsche Schriftgiesserei, [1929]
Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin
[Wood type figures are those from 5 ciceros in size upwards.]
Nero from Holztypen (Berlin: Johannes Wagner & Co. and Norddeutsche Schriftgiesserei, [1929]). Image from Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin.
n.d. [1930s]
H.M. Sellers & Co. Wood Letter Specimens
Sheffield: n.d. [1930s]
type.org.uk
[includes Gill Sans]
[Rudolf Koch Wallau 10c]
Pavillon-Presse
[This is not a specimen book, but a photograph of 120 point (Didot) Wallau in wood type.]
Caractères Bois
Limoges, France: Fonderies Centrales Dutreix, n.d. [1930s]
Flickr / Ampersand Press Lab
[Scroll left for the pages of wood type.]
Série No. 2317 from Caractères Bois (Limoges, France: Fonderies Centrales Dutreix, n.d. [1930s]). Image from Ampersand Press Lab.
[1933]
Neue Fraktur, schmalfett: geschnitten von Korpus bis 6 Cicero, vom 7 bis 32 Cicero in Holz lieferbar
Berlin: Norddeutsche Schriftgiesserei GmbH, [1933]
Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin
[The specimen shows both metal and wood type; the latter is available in sizes from 7 ciceros to 32 ciceros.]
1933
Hamilton Wood Type: Catalog Number 18
Two Rivers, Wisconsin: Hamilton Manufacturing Co., 1933
Museum of Wood Type and Ornaments
[cover only]
1935
Caractères en Bois
Paris: Deberny & Peignot, n.d. [1935]
Flickr / Ampersand Press Lab
[Scroll left for the pages of wood type which come from a 1935 Deberny & Peignot specimen book.]
Hamilton Wood Type: Catalog 19
Two Rivers, Wisconsin: Hamilton Manufacturing Co., 1935
Museum of Wood Type and Ornaments
[cover only]
c.1936
Holzschriften, Probendruck Nr. 310
Berlin: H. Bethold, [c.1936]
Stiftung Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin
[includes Carola, Block, Herold Reklame, Lo-Schrift, Fanfare, Akzidenz Grotesk, Berthold-Grotesk, Deutschland, Signal and other types originally designed in metal]
Europe Existe en Bois
Paris: Deberny & Peignot, [1936]
Bibliothèques Patrimoniales / Bibliothèque Forney
[The cover says that Europe (the French name for Futura) is available in wood, but no such sizes are shown inside. The specimen also includes “les fantaisies Acier, Banjo, Film, satellites de l’Europe ” in metal.]
Sebaldus-Gotisch from Holzschriften, Probendruck Nr. 310 (Berlin: H. Bethold, [c.1936]). Image from Stiftung Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin.
1936
Kurmark: ein Neuschnitt unseres Hauses in zwei Garnituren: lieferbar bis 5 Cicero, größere Grade in Holz
Berlin: Norddeutsche Schriftgiesserei GmbH, 1936
Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin
[Only the larger sizes of the typeface are wood; none are shown.]
[1938]
Wood Type by Hamilton Catalogue 38
Two Rivers, Wisconsin: Hamilton Manufacturing Co., n.d.
University of Wisconsin at Madison Libraries / Silver Buckle Press Collection
[The date of 1938 is provided by the University of Wisconsin. Not in Kelly. The specimen includes Goudy Oldstyle, Cooper Black, Neuland, Kabel, Broadway, Stymie which means it is post-1931.]
Wood Type
Tel Aviv: Zvi Bregman, 1938
Internet Archive
[includes Latin and Arabic wood type as well as Hebrew]
Large Hebrew wood type from Wood Type (Tel Aviv: Zvi Bregman, 1938). Image from Internet Archive.
1950
Type by Detroit Type Foundry
Detroit: [1950]
Internet Archive
[Wood type listed but not shown on p. 40 (image p. 22).]
Wood Letter
Sheffield: Stephenson, Blake & Co., Ltd., 1950
Museum of Wood Type and Ornaments
[cover only]
1951
Add “Punch” to your printing with Hamilton Wood Type
Two Rivers, Wisconsin: Hamilton Manufacturing Co., 1951
University of Wisconsin at Madison Libraries / Silver Buckle Press Collection
[includes photographs of wood type being manufactured]
Add “Punch” to your printing with Hamilton Wood Type
Two Rivers, Wisconsin: Hamilton Manufacturing Co., 1951
Museum of Wood Type and Ornaments
[cover only]
Cover of Add “Punch” to your printing with Hamilton Wood Type (Two Rivers, Wisconsin: Hamilton Manufacturing Co., 1951.) Image from University of Wisconsin at Madison Libraries.
1953
Printers Supplies, Offset Supplies, Foundry Type, Wood Type…
New York: American Wood Type Mfg. Co., 1953
Museum of Wood Type and Ornaments
[cover only]
1958
T.J. Lyon’s Typograph: A Compilation of Nineteenth Century Type Faces, Borders and Ornamentations…
Boston: T.J. Lyons Press, 1958
Artstor
[This link shows thumbnails of the pages of this unpaginated publication in random order; wood type is sprinkled among the metal type.]
Page from T.J. Lyon’s Typograph: A Compilation of Nineteenth Century Type Faces, Borders and Ornamentations… (Boston: T.J. Lyons Press, 1958). Image from Artstor.
1960
Woodtype: Selective Emphasis for Fine Typography by Hamilton
Two Rivers, Wisconsin: Hamilton Manufacturing Company, 1960
University of Wisconsin at Madison Libraries / Silver Buckle Press
[Includes a “History of Wood Type”.]
Woodtype: Selective Emphasis for Fine Typography by Hamilton
Two Rivers, Wisconsin: Hamilton Manufacturing Company, 1960
Museum of Wood Type and Ornaments
[cover only]
“Modern Uses of Wood Type” from Woodtype: Selective Emphasis for Fine Typography by Hamilton (Two Rivers, Wisconsin: Hamilton Manufacturing Company, 1960.) Image from University of Wisconsin at Madison Libraries.
c.1963
Wood
Hasting-on-Hudson, New York: Morgan Press, n.d.
The Peculiar Manicule
[Internal evidence indicates the specimen was published in 1963 or 1964. Designed by John Alcorn of Push Pin studios.]
1964
Wood 2
Hastings-on-Hudson, New York: Morgan Press, [1964]
University of Wisconsin at Madison Libraries / Silver Buckle Press Collection
[Designed by John Alcorn of Push Pin studios.]
The Headliners Reproduces Process Lettering Wood & Foundry Type from the Comprehensive & Unique Morgan Press Collection
Minneapolis: Headliners of Twin Cities, 1964
The Peculiar Manicule
[Headliners of Twin Cities was a franchisee of The Headliners International, which was located in New York City.]
Page from The Headliners Reproduces Process Lettering Wood & Foundry Type from the Comprehensive & Unique Morgan Press Collection (Minneapolis: Headliners of Twin Cities, 1964). Design and illustration by John Alcorn. Image from The Peculiar Manicule.
[1966]
DeLittle’s Wood Type Specimens
York, England: Robert D. DeLittle, n.d.
type.org.uk
[Internal evidence suggests a date of 1966. The specimen includes Perpetua, Gill Sans, and chromatic types.]
DeLittle’s Wood Type Specimens
York, England: Robert D. DeLittle, n.d.
Museum of Wood Type and Ornaments
[Museum of Wood Type and Ornaments dates the specimen as 1967. They only display the cover.]
Page from DeLittle’s Wood Type Specimens (York, England: Robert D. DeLittle, n.d.). Image from The Type Library.
1967
T.J. Lyons Antique Type Collection, vol. 1
New York: TypoGraphics Communications, Inc., 1967
Artstor
[The booklet has been divided up into individual images; this link is to the front cover.]
1968
The Headliners Present in Process Lettering More Morgan: A New Collection of Oldstyle Faces vol. 2
New York: The Headliners International, Inc., 1968
The Peculiar Manicule
1970s
Los Angeles Type
Los Angeles: Los Angeles Type Founders, Inc., n.d.
Internet Archive
[Wood type offered but not shown on p. 44 (image p. 46).]
1984
The Woodtype Collection of T.J. Lyons
Ridgefield, Connecticut: D. Greer, 1984
RIT Digital Collections
[Greer shows wood types—most of them originally owned by T.J. Lyons— by Hamilton, Wm. H. Page, Cooley, Darius Wells and his successor companies, W. Allen, Bill, Stark & Co, Morgans & Wilcox, National Printers’ Materials, and Charles Tubbs]
The Woodtype Collection of T.J. Lyons
Ridgefield, Connecticut: D. Greer, 1984
Artstor [Massachusetts College of Art and Design: T.J. Lyons Type Collection]
[The book has been divided up into individual pages which are not shown in sequential order; the result is a mess. In addition, the quality of the digitization is low.]
Sign up with The Showcard Machine.
Chicago: Showcard Machine Co., 1984
Internet Archive
[Type styles are shown on pp. 20–21; they are not described as wood type, but p. 4 shows wood type in use which suggests the sizes larger than 1 inch were wood.]
10 Line Clarendon Ornamented No. 4 Chromatic by Wm. H. Page & Co. from The Woodtype Collection of T.J. Lyons (Ridgefield, Connecticut: D. Greer, 1984), p. 151. The page shows the two parts of the chromatic type: the basic design and the fill. Image from RIT Libraries.
1985
The Wood Border of the T.J. Lyons Collection
Ridgefield, Connecticut: D. Greer, 1985
RIT Digital Collections
1994
1994–95 Printing Equipment and Supply Catalogue
Long Island City, New York: American Printing Equipment and Supply Company, 1994
Museum of Wood Type and Ornaments
[cover only]
2000
2000–01 Printing Equipment and Supply Catalogue
Long Island City, New York: American Printing Equipment and Supply Company, 2000
Museum of Wood Type and Ornaments
[cover only]
Notes
1. In 2019 David Shields posted “A (working) hand-list of available wood type specimen catalog facsimiles and digital copies” on his Wood Type Research website. His list is organized by resource (e.g. Internet Archive), but he also included a chronological list. His list can also be found in tabular form as part of the Typographica Libary.
References
Annenberg = Type Foundries of America and their Catalogs by Maurice Annenberg (New Castle, Delaware: Oak Knoll Press, 1994). With additions and an introduction by Stephen O. Saxe.
Kelly = American Wood Type: 1828–1900: Notes on the Evolution of Decorated and Large Types by Rob Roy Kelly (New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1969).
Shields = The Rob Roy Kelly American Wood Type Collection: A History and a Catalog by David Shields (Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press, 2022).
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank David Shields, Nick Sherman, Stephen Coles, and Dan Reynolds for steering me toward additional sources of digitized wood type specimens.
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