The Alembic Press

Typecasting with Monotype equipment

The Alembic Press took up casting its own metal type rather late in the day, in 1997, following a generous donation of various pieces of Monotype equipment. Despite the present commercial use of hot metal being very small scale, there is still a small core of enthusiasts who have operational equipment, as well as people discovering the delights of the Monotype system for the first time. It is partly for these, and partly as a contribution to preserving the history of 20th century typecasting, that we have listed on-line some of the information that we have accumulated over the last few years. The lists do not claim to be definitive, but do include information from a variety of published sources, and from various printers and museums, as well as from our own stock of material. As it may well be the first time that some of this information has been made available as a list, it is hoped that it will be found of use.

	Type Faces issued by Monotype in U.K., in alphabetic order Type Faces issued by Monotype in U.K., listed in alphabetic order Type Faces issued by Monotype in U.K., listed in numeric order and showing Unit Arrangement nos. Non-Latin Type Faces issued by Monotype, showing point and set sizes Type Faces issued by Lanston Monotype in U.S.A., listed in numeric order and showing Unit Arrangement nos. Set widths of UK Monotype Type Faces, in series number order Figures issued by Monotype in U.K., listed in serial no. order, and showing related type series, and point sizes. Keybars and their UAs and typefaces, listed in keybar number order Stopbars and their unit values, listed in stopbar number order Stopbars and UAs and typefaces, listed in stopbar number order Unit Arrangement nos, and their typefaces, listed in UA order Unit Arrangement 1, 2 & 3 - character unit widths (U.K.) Unit Arrangement C - character unit widths (U.S.) Some individual unit arrangement sheets with micrometer widths Booklet of Unit Arrangements (on the Metal Type website) Monotype Greek Unit Arrangements Matrix Case Arrangements in numeric order Monotype Mould Instructions Monotype Developments U.K. Monotype Layout Sheets for Matrix Cases and Keybars U.S. (Matrix Case) Arrangements Type Series Charts - characters grouped by unit widths Monotype Literature that was available in 1960 Monotype Literature that was available in 1973 Monotype Fount Scheme Some Published Monotype Parts Lists Some Published Monotype Manuals Some Published Monotype Information sheets, etc. Some matrix etc. records that were held at the Type Archive in London Cambridge University Library's list of Monotype Publications Monotype Matrix Boxes Oils for Monotype Machines Nozzles for Monotype Machines Monotype Operators regular tasks Monotype Screw Sizes Caster and Keyboard Interchangeable Screws Product Information for casting type on the Super Caster Pot Temperatures for Monotype Machines Monotype Parts listed by numeric manufacturing code Monotype Keyboard spare parts recommended to be held Monotype Composition caster spare parts recommended to be held Monotype Super caster spare parts recommended to be held Monotype casters at the Alembic Press Monotype type founts held by the Alembic Press Monotype border matrices held by the Alembic Press Monotype figure and fraction matrices held by the Alembic Press Some problems encountered when casting type How to run a Composition Caster See a caster in action at the Alembic Press or go to: David MacMillan's on-line typecasting manuals, etc. Some sources of Monotype and letterpress service and supplies and for more about Alembic, go to: Alembic Home Page
The three illustrations above are pieces of type cast (not by Alembic) from Monotype special signs, and are standing on Monotype spool paper. The pictures were taken by webcam in poor lighting, but are representations of Monotype casters and keyboard. The real equipment can be seen at Alembic casters.
(Note that the lists on this page, without the graphics and introduction, can be directly accessed from www.monotype-casting.info)
(Note also that Monotype is a trademark of Monotype Imaging Inc. registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and may be registered in certain other jurisdictions.

The Alembic Press

A Fine Press creating and printing limited edition books by traditional letterpress.

This page was written by David Bolton, and last updated 7 December 2025.