Recent Specimens.

The Chicago Electrotype Journal last to hand contains some good specimens of engraving by photo-zincography: a batch of calendars (a specialty of Messrs Zeese & Co.) and some pretty and original floral and other ornaments. The remainder of the number is occupied with several series of beautiful vignettes and two-color initials of German design.

Conner's Typographic Messenger, New York, is a good number. The text, by a strange whim, is set in an original style called « Cosmopolitan, » which, though an effective letter for a line or two of display, is dazzling and distressing to the eyes when used as a body fount. There is a good show of plain and useful styles, and a sprinkling of eccentric faces,—« Puritan, » « Anglican, » « Mediæval, » « Nubian Condensed » (a striking letter), and the aforesaid « Cosmopolitan. » There is a « Rose » border and a « Cactus » border—both of very limited application—the latter in particular. The chief display is made with an architectural border, the work of the unrivalled typographic artist who designs for Messrs Schelter & Giesecke. Messrs Conner secure most of the designs of this firm as they appear. An original series of Ribbon Ornaments is shown, so designed as to work in combination with Schelter and Giesecke's « Schildschrift » series. A series of « illustrated corners » completes the number. As usual with the Messenger, much skill is shown in the rulework, and general display of the novelties exhibited.

Julius Klinkhardt, of Leipzig, sends us the Fifteenth section of is specimen book. The new styles of letter shown are for the most part American faces. The principal feature of this issue is the grand « Germania » architectural combination, designed by Professor Hugo Ströhl of Vienna. In this one series, the chief features of former architectural designs are combined. It is divided into four sections, and contains 414 separate sorts. A complete minimum fount weighs about 60lb! It is needless to say that fine effects can be produced with so elaborate and artistic a design. But effects too distressing to contemplate are also possible in unqualified hands. A beautifully printed supplement shows the border worked out in color and ground-tints. We have also a light « Renaissance » border, a series of flourishes, nine series of initials, some of great beauty, and numerous electro blocks—arms of all nations, &c.

Messrs Baber & Rawlings, of Auckland, agents for the Fann-st. Foundry, London, have sent us a parcel of specimens of Sir Chas. Reed & Sons' novelties. These include some neat borders, for one and two colors, space ornaments, headpieces and mortised blocks, and also several fine series of initials—the latest of which is in three sizes with corner ornaments to correspond. The largest of this series is nine-line pica, and with a corner ornament 36 ems deep, would have an imposing effect. We notice that the prices are much lower than those of American productions of similar size.

From the Parsons Paper Company, Holyoke, Mass, we have a parcel of samples of high-class linen papers, for bonds, bank-note printing, ledger and record work; also of tinted writings and Bristol boards. There are no « cheap lines » in this parcel, but the quality is the best we have yet seen. The higher class papers are exquisite in color and finish, and the samples are made up in handy and attractive form.

The Queen City Printing Ink Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, deserve to succeed. They have sent out a small specimen book of printing inks, of the most useful colors and shades. The quality is excellent, and the prices are within the reach of the ordinary printer, comparing very favorably with the charges of some of the other American ink factories. Inks at $24 and $32 per lb may not be dear when the cost of the coloring matter is taken into account—but how many printers could afford to use them?