Specimen Book of Linotype Faces, n.d. [before c. 1939]. Mergenthaler Linotype Company, Brooklyn, New York. A red hardcover cloth with photographic endpapers, 7.75 x 10.5 and a massive 1,215 pages. Ex-library (see description). Printed in USA.
“Through its pages will be found a type face for every printing purpose—books, newspapers, periodicals, the wide fields of advertising composition and commercial printing, as well as the important spheres of foreign language and more specialized work... There are display and text faces in abundance among the 325 different designs in well over 1500 point sizes shown; a range of size from 4- to 144-point ...”
Heavy specimen book with a Preface, summary of Contents, General Information including: services and ordering information, point system, figures, leaders, matrix bridges, key to matrix terms, matrix booth combinations and charts and more. Followed by a detailed Alphabetical Index. With Linotype Duplex Display, an Addenda (additional faces produced since this book has ben compiled and printed), a simple, accurate method of copy-fitting and more. Richly illustrated with black and white and some spot color featuring specimens, decorative material and design examples.
“Known colloquially as ‘Big Red’ ... this was the last large specimen book produced by the Mergenthaler Linotype Company, and arguably the most important one they ever produced.” — Circuitous Root
A very good plus hardcover with light wear to the covers and some rubbing along the exterior edges. Ex-library with a stamp to an early page and along the outside edges. A few inked library call numbers and library pocket at the back; but not bad at all. Binding is solid and interior pages are still bright and fresh. Excellent copy, barely handled!