The Alembic Press

Typecasting with Monotype equipment

The Alembic Press took up casting its own metal type rather late in the day, in 1997, following a generous donation of various pieces of Monotype equipment. Despite the present commercial use of hot metal being very small scale, there is still a small core of enthusiasts who have operational equipment, as well as people discovering the delights of Monotype for the first time. It is partly for these, and partly as a contribution to preserving the history of 20th century typecasting, that we have listed on-line some of the information that we have accumulated over the last few years. The lists do not claim to be definitive, but do include information from a variety of published sources, and from various printers and museums, as well as from our own stock of material. As it may well be the first time that some of this information has been made available as a list, it is hoped that it will be found of use.

	Type Faces issued by Monotype, in alphabetic order Type Faces issued by Monotype, in numeric order Keybars and their UAs and typefaces, in keybar number order Stopbars and their unit values, in stopbar number order Stopbars and UAs and typefaces, in stopbar number order Unit Arrangement nos, and their typefaces, in UA order Unit Arrangements 1, 2 & 3 - character unit widths (U.K.) Unit Arrangement C - character unit widths (U.S.) Monotype Literature that was available in 1960 Monotype Literature that was available in 1973 Some Published Monotype Parts Lists Some Published Monotype Manuals Some Published Monotype Information sheets, etc. Oils for Monotype Machines Nozzles for Monotype Machines Monotype Part Nos in numeric manufacturing code order Monotype casters at the Alembic Press How to run a Composition Caster Some problems encountered when casting type or go to: The International Monotype Memory Project and for more about Alembic, go to: Alembic Home Page
The three illustrations above are pieces of type cast (not by Alembic) from Monotype special signs, and are standing on Monotype spool paper. The pictures were taken by webcam in poor lighting, but are representations of Monotype casters and keyboard. The real equipment can be seen at Alembic casters.

The Alembic Press

A Fine Press creating and printing limited edition books by traditional letterpress.

This page was written by David Bolton, and last updated 27 December 2007.