Multi-Part Working Patterns

1. Legros

Lucien A. Legros, in his 1908 paper "Typecasting and Composing Machinery," writes describes a method of cutting away working patterns to receive inserts for accents:

"In the case of accented sorts the upper part of the former [former = working pattern] is cut away to receive the accent former, so that the number of formers required can be kept to a minimum. Special accents are required for the i owing to its small set, and a blank piece of equal size for the production of non-accented sorts. With the exception of th ei the accents can be made interchangeable." (p. 1068)

In his 1908 paper, it isn't quite clear whose practices he is describing (his own or those of ATF/Benton). It is described in the context of relief patterns used for punch engraving.

In their 1916 Typographical Printing Surfaces, Legros and Grant , attribute this practice to the ATF/Benton wax plate method. The also describe it slightly differently, as a practice where the upper part of the working pattern is cut away completely separate (full-depth) accent patterns are used in its place:

"In the case of accented sorts, owing to the limited area available for placing the former [that is, the working pattern] on the table of the Benton-Waldo machine, in which but little provision is made for adjustment [1], the upper part of the character-former is cut away and the accent-former is made on a narrower strip of metal so that it can be correctly placed on the bed of the machine. Special narrow accent-formers are required for the i owing to its small set width. A blank piece of equal size to the accent-strip is required for the production of the non-accented sorts. With the exception of those required for the i the accents can be made interchangeable.

2. Notes

Benton partisans should note that Legros and Grant were at this time manufacturing a Benton-derived vertical pantograph of their own. They were not disinterested parties.