Printing Matrices

Description

Wooden box containing printing matrices, or mats, supplied by the Monotype Corporation. A printed label attached to the box describes the item as Matrix Case for a Composition Caster. The label is completed in ms., and lists the Matrix Designation as 156/201-10; the Set as 9½; the Matrix Alignment as 1276; the Number of Matrices as 246; Blanks as 4 BB and 5 BB; the Customer as Balding and Mansell, Wisbech (printers); and the Matrix Order No. as M.94533 + 3C Cutside Chars.


This set of matrices may have been acquired for use in the printing publications relating to the Survey of English Dialects (SED). The actual content of the matrices themselves (i.e. phonetic symbols or alphabetical characters) is not known as the wooden matrix case has been nailed shut.

Biography or history

A printing matrix is a metal block in which a character is stamped or engraved so as to form a mould for typesetting. Matrices of all the letters to be printed on a single page are assembled, and hot metal is poured into them to form a plate which then goes into the printing press to print the page.

Access and usage

Reproduction

Access

Some parts of this collection are in copyright. Photocopies or digital images of the material in copyright can be supplied for private study purposes only. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain the copyright holder’s permission for reproduction of copyright material for purposes other than research or private study. Guidance is available on tracing copyright status and ownership.

Some parts of this collection have not been listed in detail and the content may be protected under the Data Protection Act and other relevant legislation. Please consult the relevant part of the catalogue for specific details. Where a detailed record does not exist, please contact Special Collections. Upon receipt of your request, a member of the team will discuss your requirements with you and review relevant material accordingly

The catalogue titles or descriptions in this collection may contain terminology and phrases that would now be considered unacceptable. Where present these original terms continue to be included to preserve historical accuracy and provide social and historical context.

Material in this collection is in copyright. Photocopies or digital images can only be supplied by the Library for research or private study within the terms of copyright legislation. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain the copyright holder's permission to reproduce for any other purpose. Guidance is available on tracing copyright status and ownership.

Physical and technical conditions

As the wooden matrix case has been nailed shut, access to the individual matrix units inside is currently not possible.

Related material

Correspondence between Harold Orton and E. J. Arnold and Son regarding the publication and printing of the Basic Material volumes is held at LAVC/SED/1/1/3. Correspondence between Stewart Sanderson and companies including the Monotype Corporation regarding phonetic symbolisation in 'The Linguistic Atlas of England' (LAE) maps is held at LAVC/STA/1/1/2/5.


Another box of printing matrices is held at LAVC/ART/003.

Related subjects / tags

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