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Typo: A Monthly Newspaper and Literary Review, Volume 1

Electrotype Matrices (Carl Schraubstadter, jun., in Inland Printer.)

page 78

Electrotype Matrices (Carl Schraubstadter, jun., in Inland Printer.)

Fig. 1

Fig. 1

Although almost every treatise on the history of printing mentions or describes the copper matrices struck from a punch, the electrotype matrices—which in this country probably exceed the other kind in a proportion of seven or eight to one, are barely mentioned, and where a few words are spoken of them, it is only to condemn their use.

Though there are many imperfect matrices of this kind, and the comparative ease with which faces can be copied, has tempted a few to open foundries without proper tools or appliances, there is no doubt as to their producing, when well made, as good type as that cast from a copper strike. In the larger sizes, 36-, 48-, and 60-point, the tendency of the matrix struck from the punch is towards hollowness of the face—a bad fault, which the electrotype does not have. Besides its many other advantages, it has rendered possible the production of the handsome modern faces, with their delicate lines and shadings.

Soon after the discovery of electro-deposition, type-founders attempted to use it in producing matrices. The first results were crude, and were almost confined to copying faces that had been cut on steel. A type was hung in the battery by a thin copper wire, and the face coated with a sheet of copper. When this was of sufficient thickness, the shank was cut away, and the head of the type, or « eyelet, » placed in an oblong iron box, about the shape of the matrix, and held in position by a wire, as in Fig. 1. Melted lead was then poured in the box, and the wire withdrawn or nipped off. The matrix was then taken from the box and a cast taken. The shank of the type thus cast soldered itself to the head of the original type, and drawing it out, left a perfect reverse copy of it. These matrices were fitted up in line, set, and height, exactly like the copper strikes. Afterward quads were placed about the type to be copied, in order to give the copper deposition a wider face or bearing, and zinc was substituted for the lead.

Though much cheaper than the copper strikes, these matrices had fatal defects. The lead first used easily bent or wore. The zinc, though harder, was still too soft, and was brittle and porous; besides, the « eyelet » often came loose. In such a case, nothing remained but to make a new one. To obviate these faults, a mould of type-metal was cast around the type, and the whole matrix deposited therein by the battery. But this was slow and expensive, and it was difficult to obtain a thick smooth deposit.

Fig. 2

Fig. 2

To an American, Edwin Starr, of Philadelphia, belongs the honor of a successful solution of the problem. Cutting a hole in a plate of copper, the head of the type is placed in it, and enough copper deposited to fill the hole. Fig. 2 represents a plate, with a type in position. It will be noticed that the sides of the hole are sloped to prevent the eyelet from slipping out. When the hole is filled, the type is withdrawn, the surplus copper removed, and the plate riveted to a heavier one. This not only makes the matrix stronger, but prevents the eyelet from becoming loose. Brass plates were afterwards substituted for the copper, and this form is in use to-day.

Fig. 3

Fig. 3

Fig. 3 represents the plates riveted together, and Fig. 4, the matrix as it appears when fitted in line, set, position, and height. The minutest perfection or blemish is copied by the deposition, and the type cast from such a matrix is a perfect counterpart of the original.

Fig. 4

Fig. 4

In later years, a new school of engravers, headed by Mr Ruthven, of Philadelphia, has sprung up, cutting exclusively on metal, and producing ornamentation and finish the punch-cutters never dared to attempt.

In perfection of finish, such forms as the « Raphael, » « Ruskin, » « Steelplate Gothic, » &c., silence all attempts to bring the process into disrepute, and lately Mr Benton has cut roman type on metal with his engraving machine, having such a high finish that it is safe to say that even in this field, until this time wholly given up to the punch-cutter, the electrotype matrix will also drive out its copper rival.