THE OLD SCHOOL PRESS

The making of Harry Carter, Typographer

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Once the text and other casting instructions have been keyed and punched onto the paper tape, the tape is read by the caster, and each letter (and space) is individually cast in a mould of the right size (eg 12pt) which is momentarily capped by the matrix for that letter whilst molten metal is squirted into the mould. The resulting 'sort' is ejected and pushed onto its line. When a line is complete it is pushed down the galley making space for the next. The lines, all correctly justified, build up in the galley which is at bottom right.

Here we can see the 15*17 array of matrices for the 12D Romulus in its diecase. Each brass matrix forms the printing surface of one letter, a lower case italic e for instance. The diecase actually goes inside the heart of the caster but is shown here sitting near where it is loaded.

Some of the materials used for casting the type for Harry Carter, Typographer are unique. If this interests you, this story-in-pictures has a side road that you can follow by clicking on the thumbnail to the left. You will finally return to this page where you can pick up the main thread again.