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1 - colrehogan
- Key Master
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- From: Granite City, IL
- Registered: 05-2-2015
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Typeface
I've recently seen threads where specific numbers associated with typefaces are discussed. How do you find out which typeface a particular typewriter has?
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- Uwe
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- Registered: 12-3-2013
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Re: Typeface
colrehogan wrote:
How do you find out which typeface a particular typewriter has?
It can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but you have to start with a list of the typefaces that the manufacturer offered for the model year your machine was manufactured. Some, like Olympia for example, numbered the typefaces to make ordering them easier.
In other cases where a manufacturer did not actually produce its own type slugs and used those supplied by a sub-contractor, you would need to look at that sub-contractor's catalog to try and match the typeface with what was installed in your machine. Many of these are numbered too.
Perhaps confusing things more, there were companies that made replacement type slugs to fit machines that would have originally come with OEM type slugs. Again, these are often marked with a manufacturer's mark and typeface number.
I should also add that there were reference books regularly published back in the day that compiled all of the above information, and listed the typefaces that were available for each manufacturer, and even more detailed reference books that published make, model, and typeface information. But don't be mislead by blogs that arbitrarily give a typeface a name because it looks the same as one used elsewhere. I've see that happen too often.
The pronoun I has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
- colrehogan
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- From: Granite City, IL
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Re: Typeface
Where would you see the manufacturer's mark on the slug? Is it between the upper and lower case on the slug? Is it the same on all typewriters?
Last edited by colrehogan (30-9-2015 11:08:45)
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Thread Starter- Typewriterlv
- Platen Punisher
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- From: Los Angeles, CA
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Re: Typeface
i would love to find a machine withe the 46RA or 222 typeface. love those!
- colrehogan
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Re: Typeface
Where would these lists be found?
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Thread Starter- JoeV
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Re: Typeface
Since we're on the subject of typefaces, are there typically any engraved markings on the type slug itself that might indicate what style it is? If so, does this practice vary by manufacturer?
~Joe
- Uwe
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- From: Toronto, Canada
- Registered: 12-3-2013
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Re: Typeface
Where would you see the manufacturer's mark on the slug? Is it between the upper and lower case on the slug? Is it the same on all typewriters?
Since we're on the subject of typefaces, are there typically any engraved markings on the type slug itself that might indicate what style it is? If so, does this practice vary by manufacturer?
Yes, the markings are on the face of the type slug, usually between the upper and lowercase character. BUT, not always. It does vary by manufacturer - and even by the same manufacturer for different models or model years - and the amount of information on the slug can also vary.
Here are a few of examples.
Brother machines, to my knowledge, never contained any information on their slugs:
Earlier Royal slugs sometimes indicated the type's size:
Earlier Empire models used slugs from a sub-contractor. In this case the slug has the sub-contractors typeface number and its logo (Gordon Webb & Co.):
And then you have manufacturers that produced their own type slugs, had their own manufacturer's markings on them, and the size and typeface number:
In short, typeface identification is not a simple matter. You really need to approach it on a model-by-model basis as there in definitive standard. Some manufacturers made their own slugs, and used those made by a sub-contractor. And as for the information that is available, it can be all over the map: there is very concise data available for some manufacturers/models and absolute none for others.
The pronoun I has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
- MonicaMadeInUK
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Re: Typeface
I should also add that there were reference books regularly published back in the day that compiled all of the above information, and listed the typefaces that were available for each manufacturer, and even more detailed reference books that published make, model, and typeface information. But don't be mislead by blogs that arbitrarily give a typeface a name because it looks the same as one used elsewhere. I've see that happen too often.
Do you, by any chance, have any of these books, or if not, know a name of one of those? I'm looking to find out what the typeface of my monica is. () Looks like Pica #97
Also what i've been wondering. Why is there no zero? Is this a general typewriter thing to use the letter O for 0?
- KatLondon
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Re: Typeface
The 0/O thing IS a general typewriter thing, yes.There's only room for so many keys, and things double up, and especially on portables - and ultra-portables - manufacturers were trying to keep the weight down, so some functions and keys went.
- tothetrail
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- Registered: 01-9-2015
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