Type Specimens.

Another parcel of specimens has reached us from Messrs Schelter & Giesecke, Leipzig, well illustrating the versatility of design and artistic skill at the command of that celebrated firm. First, we would note the fine heavy script entitled Propaganda, in six sizes, 20· to 60·. Our specimen line below shows the 36· size; the full series will be found on another page. Two handsome sets of floral Initials, Roman and Gothic, numbered 131 and 132 respectively, need no recommendation. We show two of each on this page. Artistic printers everywhere will welcome the new Border 140, Gothic in style, with a fairy-like lightness and grace peculiarly its own. Being provided with all necessary corners, it affords a variety of running borders, but this is not its strong point. For light decoration of square initials, or in conjunction with a bolder design, either in border or rule, it is unrivalled. It contains 50 characters, of which we show a complete synopsis. In striking contrast to this is the new five-color Border 142, 3 characters only, which appears as a headpiece to this article. The outline alone makes a beautiful border, and the solid ground-work may also be used by itself; but the variety of effects that may be produced in color-work, from two impressions up to five, would not be readily exhausted. The following are the chromatic characters. This is one of the most splendid of the designs of the well-known Leipzig house, and for illuminated work it takes the first rank. The body of the border is 60· Didot, (+⅞in.); its unit, as the running-pieces go in pairs, is rather wide, 108·, or more than 1½inch. The addition of a central character would add to the practical value of the border, as it would allow an odd number of pieces to be used without breaking the design, and enable the border to be justified to within a fraction of three-quarters of an inch. A series of six graceful dancing figures, in three sizes, for ball program and invitation cards, is among the novelties lately brought out. We are able to show specimens of the largest and smallest sizes. A new series of Monograms in three sizes, will be found useful both by the job printer and rubber stamp maker.

Messrs H. W. Caslon & Co. show a series of Combination Ornaments (No. 20), consisting of 18 characters, in nine pairs. Two pairs are quadrants of ellipses, the other seven triangular, and the body corresponds in shape with the face. For two or three years past, German designs of this style have been used by British printers; but the new series, being cast to English point bodies, fills a place hitherto vacant. The ornaments are finely designed and engraved.