THE TYPEFOUNDER'S HAND MOULD

Item Details

Ann Arbor, MI, The Legacy Press and the Norwich Printing Museum, 2026

New

 

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This is the long-awaited book by the acknowledged expert on the subject, R. Stanley Nelson. Stan is Curator Emeritus at the NMAH, Graphic Arts Division, where for decades, he gave typecasting demonstrations to museum goers. He soon began taking orders to make replica hand moulds for collections around the world. And it is fitting that he should write this book, which covers not only the history of the typemould, focusing on moulds from European collections, such as Museum of Plantin-Moretus, but Nelson also gives instructions about how to make a typemould.

Stan writes: "To some, typefounding may seem an unusually esoteric subject but consider that moveable type was the foundation for the success of Gutenberg's integrated process for the mass production of books using movable letters. It was the typemould that made accurate and efficient types both possible and economical. When considering the entire subject of printing history, typefounding represents an essential element that is worthy of much more attention than it has received. Thus this book."

"Stan Nelson has written the definitive illustrated history of the typefounder's hand mould, and the first comprehensive modern manual for anyone wishing to construct such a mould and cast type using it. This will be the standard work on the subject for the next century (at least). -Paul W. Nash, PhD, FSA; printer and editor, Journal of the Printing Historical Society

The Typefounder's Hand Mould is a co-publication of The Legacy Press and the Norwich Printing Museum.

Contents: 
Part I. The Historical Mould
Chapter 1. The Basics: How Typefounding Works and Naming the 
             Parts of the Typemould
Chapter 2. In the Beginning: How It All Began
Chapter 3. Diversity: The Mould Evolves
Chapter 4. A Gallery of Interesting Details
Chapter 5. Expanding Needs and Innovative Solutions

Part II. Making and Using the Hand Mould
Chapter 6. Making a Typemould
Chapter 7. Casting Type in a Hand Mould
Chapter 8. Dressing Right

Appendix A. Tables / Lists
Appendix B. Images of Typefoundries
Appendix C. Drawings of Hand Moulds and Type-Related Appliances
Glossary
Bibliography
Index

392 images, full color

 

Ann Arbor, MI: The Legacy Press and the Norwich Printing Museum, 2026; 10 x 7 inches, hardcover, sewn; 296 pages. ISBN 9781940965383. Book # 143247

 

View and purchase this title on our website here.