Quantities in Typecases

Typecases exist to store metal type, with each character in a separate box, and thus with boxes varying in size depending upon the frequency of usage of the character in setting text in a given language. Thus for English (for languages other than English, see French for example) the e box is the largest and the j q x z boxes the smallest. But how many characters can actually be stored in a given box? This chapter attempts to answer this question in two ways. Firstly, by showing published versions such as a character distribution from MacKellar (1870 onwards) and a weight distribution from Stephenson Blake, etc (1930s onwards). Secondly, by measuring the actual weights and quantities possible in an Upper, Lower, Double and California Job case.

Shown below is a possible quantity of type in an (U.S.) Upper and Lower case derived from a scheme given in MacKellar: The American Printer (5th ed 1870). MacKellar's full scheme was for an 800lb fount, and is shown in Fount Distribution, but that quantity of type would be too big to fit in a single pair of cases, which together are said to hold some 50lbs of type. The full fount would have to be spread over several pairs of cases, with larger fount cases or sorts drawers used for the surplus.

One tenth of MacKellar's full fount is shown below, corresponding to the quantities of each character that are annotated in pencil in the copy of MacKellar held in the Special Collection of San Francisco Public Library. MacKellar's scheme does not give quantities for some characters, eg some of the spacing, commercial signs, braces and fractions, but even for the quantities shown, if the total weight really is 80lbs, then the nominal capacity of the two cases will still be exceeded. The Upper could accommodate MacKellar's 1/10 distribution since an experimental weighing of shoulder-high spacing shows that 60 ems are only 4½oz and so 60A will be much the same, though as will be shown below, the amount very much depends upon the method of storage. However, the Lower will not accommodate MacKellar's distribution, for example 1200 e will be approx 50oz, on the basis of shoulder-high ens, and 800 n are approx 35½oz. In fact, they will be heavier than this, given that the spacing appeared slightly underweight.

Lower Case
15
ffi
20
fl
 5m  4m  70 
'
 80 
k
   1200   
e
130
1
120
2
110
3
100
4
100
5
100
6
100
7
100
8
40
j
160
b
300
c
440
d
800
i
800
s
250
f
170
g
40
ff
100
9
20
?
50
fi
130
0
15
!
400
l
300
m
800
n
640
h
800
o
200
y
170
p
450
,
200
w
500
en
250
em
20
z
40
x
120
v
340
u
900
t
thick850
a
620
r
80
;
60
:
quads
50
q
200
.
100
-
Upper Case
  20  
*
  15  
¦
  10  
¦¦
  10  
§
  10  
||
   6   
fists  lbs  per  @   %   a/c   ´    °  
1/41/23/41/83/85/87/8 $£{{««»»
1/32/320
&
4
AE
3
OE
10
ae
6
oe
15
-
9
--
6
---
4
----
10
&
2
AE
2
OE
60
A
40
B
50
C
50
D
60
E
40
F
40
G
30
A
20
B
25
C
25
D
30
E
20
F
20
G
40
H
80
I
30
K
50
L
40
M
40
N
40
O
20
H
40
I
15
K
25
L
20
M
20
N
20
O
40
P
18
Q
40
R
50
S
65
T
30
V
40
W
20
P
9
Q
20
R
25
S
33
T
15
V
20
W
18
X
30
Y
8
Z
30
J
30
U
15
]
30
)
9
X
15
Y
4
Z
15
J
15
U
300
hair
10
ffl

In the Upper Case, ¦ represents single dagger and ¦¦ represents double dagger. Fractions are shown as 1/2 and small caps are A B etc. The « «» » are a three part brace and - -- --- ---- are en em 2em 3em rules.
 
A different diagram shows the weight of type each box can hold, according to Southward, Stephenson Blake, Atkins, Riscatype, et al. They are describing Upper and Lower cases, rather than a Double (or Job) case, but do state that an English Double would hold between 20 and 25lbs type. Note that if each Upper box really did have 5oz of type, there would be far too many of the less frequently used letters such as Z, compared with the number of E, say.
Capacity of Upper Case
  5  
oz
  5  
oz
  5  
oz
  5  
oz
  5  
oz
  5  
oz
  5  
oz
  5  
oz
  5  
oz
  5  
oz
  5  
oz
  5  
oz
  5  
oz
  5  
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
5
oz
Capacity of Lower Case
6
oz
6
oz
6
oz
6
oz
6
oz
6
oz
    48    
oz
6
oz
6
oz
6
oz
6
oz
6
oz
6
oz
6
oz
6
oz
6
oz
12
oz
32
oz
32
oz
32
oz
32
oz
12
oz
12
oz
6
oz
6
oz
6
oz
6
oz
6
oz
6
oz
12
oz
32
oz
32
oz
32
oz
32
oz
12
oz
12
oz
12
oz
12
oz
12
oz
12
oz
6
oz
6
oz
12
oz
32
oz
32
oz
32
oz
32
oz
32
oz
6
oz
6
oz
32
oz
6
oz
6
oz
6
oz

The above capacities are based on those given for example by Southward: Modern Printing (6th edition 1933, edited by Whetton), and Stephenson Blake: Specimens of Printing Types (1950) and thus relate to English, rather than U.S. cases, which are some 65 sq ins larger. Note also that 1lb (ie 16oz) represents 288 ens of 12pt. Thus 1oz would represent 18 ens, 6 oz is 108 ens, 12oz is 216 ens, 32oz is 576 ens, 48oz is 864 ens. In practice, these weights do not match, as will be shown below. Indeed, although the traditional type weight was for 1 square inch being 4 ounces, a weighing of some Monotype cast type showed a square inch as 3½ ounces (or 2½ ounces if spacing material). Interestingly, the maximum weight of a full Upper case, with 5oz in each box, would be 30lb 10oz, too heavy for a total Upper plus Lower weight supposedly being 50lbs. However, if each box contained only 4oz, the overall weight of the Upper becomes 24lb 8oz., thus allowing some 25lb 8oz for the Lower case.

The maximum weight of the Lower case, using the quantities shown, is 49lb 12oz, almost the technical combined weight of an Upper plus Lower, which suggests that in practice the Lower will have far less than the weights shown above for each box. Indeed, 6oz of z, say, would be some 138 characters, which are far too many. A scheme based upon weights assumes that type is a uniform weight, which is not necessarily the case, as shown below, and also probably relates to the traditional 1 sq in being 4oz. Yet even Southward commented that type from Figgins was a different weight to that from Stephenson Blake.

A problem with a scheme that gives numbers of characters, rather than weights, is that for any given typeface, characters will be different widths, so that a 6oz box would only contain 54 types (of 12pt size) if the width of the type corresponded to an exact em of 12pt. In addition, even though characters may be cast on an 'em' body, the actual set width of the em may not necessarily be 12pt width (of set). Thus whilst 12pt Monotype Old Style and Times New Roman are 12 set, ie the em is a 12pt square, Bembo is 10.25 set, ie narrower, and Rockwell is 12.5 set, ie wider. Therefore, a 6oz box would hold more Bembo than Times, and less Rockwell than Old Style, say. [Obviously, any given box will also hold more 8pt characters than 12pt ones]. Because of all these variables, these schemes can only be a guide to quantity of type.



The second approach was to measure what actually fitted in a case. 12 point spacing has been used as a standard type size, em and en spacing being chosen for ease, and because large quantities were to hand. Some additional measurements were taken using 12pt type, ie the full height-to-paper, and also using 12pt spacing cast to type shoulder height, ie 0.05" below normal type height of 0.918", as normal spacing is much lower than type, being 0.750" and so takes up less space in a box.

Type can be stored in a box in the case, in various ways, each giving a different amount in the box:

Put upright, ie on its feet, lined so as to fill the whole box. This method achieves the largest quantity. For example the smallest box in the California Job case (eg j or x) holds 72 ems this way. This method is fine for long-term storage, or for large type, or occasional use, as it allows the character to be easily identified, but is not so practical for everyday use, as it makes distribution much slower. It also makes the type more liable to damage if something gets dropped into the case.

Stacked on its side in the box. This gets less in the box, eg the Cal Job j box holds 55 ems. Again, this method is slow in distribution, but does make for less accidental damage.

Heaped loose in the box. Quick and easy, but holds the least amount of type. The Cal Job j box holds about 31 ems. By far the easiest method for smaller sizes of body. A trial heaping of shoulder-high ems level with the top of a Cal Job j box averaged 31 ems (in fact 32, 27, 33, 31, 30, 32, 30, 32, 35, 31) or 61 ens (60, 58, 64, 60, 61, 59, 56, 65, 59, 64). Note that these heaps can be ±4 em or 3 en, and also that the box still holds twice as many ens as ems when using this method of storage.

Another problem is that similar boxes may in fact be slightly different in size (ignoring those that are meant to be larger or smaller). For example the cap boxes in an Upper case varied slightly in width, allowing 264 to 275 upright ens to be stored. The case itself varies slightly in overall dimension, the Upper in the sample being 6 sq ins smaller than the Lower, which was from a different manufacturer. And a given box may not take an exact row of type, so for a given number of ems, one might be able to store slightly more than twice the number of ens. For example, a Lower case c box took 441 upright ems, but 903 rather than 882 ens.

Type characters are different widths, depending upon the design of the particular letter. So a box will hold more j than x, or l than b, say, even though the boxes are the same size. A shoulder-high em space is approximately the largest body that might be stored (although eg some italic W might be bigger), and a shoulder-high en probably corresponds to an average size of type, hence some measurements were made using such spacing. Unfortunately there was insufficient of such spacing to hand for all the boxes to be measured this way.

If one considers just the weight, rather than quantity, of type or spacing, a problem still arises, because the consistency of the metal in the type can vary, depending upon casting technique - more or less air bubbles or impurities may be present. Thus for the sample spacing cast for this experiment, one ounce varied between 24 and 28 ens, and 14 to 17 ems. One might have expected two ens to be the same weight as one em, but as the ens will have smaller, and fewer, pockets of air within them than will ems, two ens often weigh more than one em. In respect of the shoulder-high spacing, for example, 4oz was 52 ems or 91 ens. This contrasts with 4oz of normal spacing being 56 to 60 ems, or 99 to 104 ens. A fuller list of some of the weights is given below.

The above comments on variations need to be bourne in mind when looking at the following results. Also, note that the scales in use were only accurate to ¼oz., so all weights are plus or minus 4 ems or 7 ens. Futhermore, a subsequent check on the scale weights being used showed them to be some 6% overweight, so that all the weights recorded below should be increased slightly (eg 4oz should be 4.22oz, 2oz should be 2.11oz, 1oz should be 1.06oz, ½oz should be 0.53oz). In due course, the figures will be revised.

The typecases shown below are solely to identify the style of box. The full case layout can be seen by clicking on the appropriate title.

   A                                                                                 
Upper Case
Sample made by Haddon (Caxton Type Foundry) - 32 1/2 by 14 3/16 ins (82.5 by 36 cms). Inside depth from top of boxes is 15/16 ins (2.3 cms).
The A box is 2 by 1 15/16 ins (5 by 4.9 cms)
and holds 264 - 275 ens @ 9¼oz - 9½oz of upright spacing
or 140en @ 5¾oz or 68em @ 5¼oz of heaped spacing
or 9¼oz of mixed type or 6¾oz of heaped mixed type
or 63 ems shoulder-high spacing @ 4¾oz or 122 ens shoulder-high spacing @ 5½oz.

                                 j         e            mid                                         
 bc         
   
Lower Case
Sample case stamped New Departure - 32 1/2 by 14 3/8 ins (82.3 by 36.5 cms). Inside depth from top of boxes is 1 ins (2.5 cms).
j box is 1 3/4 x 1 3/4 ins (4.5 x 4.5 cms) and holds 100 ems @ just over 7oz or heaped 57 ems @ just under 4oz or heaped shoulder-high spacing of 45 ems @ 3½oz or 90 ens @ 4oz
b box is 1 3/4 x 3 9/16 ins (4.5 x 9 cms) and holds 210 ems or heaped 123 ems @ 9oz
c box is 3 5/8 x 3 9/16 ins (9.2 x 9 cms) and holds 441 ems or 903 ens or heaped 258 em @ 18½oz
mid box is 3 5/8 x 1 3/4 ins (9.2 x 4.4 cms) and holds 210 ems or 430 ens
e box is 3 5/8 x 5 7/16 ins (9.2 x 13.8 cms) and holds 1397 ens or heaped 787 ens @ 29½oz

                e                     $             
jbc       A      
   
California Job Case
Sample case maker unknown, possibly Stephenson-Blake or Cefmor - 32 1/8 by 16 1/2 ins by 1 3/8 ins (81.5 by 42 by 3.5 cms). Inside depth from top of boxes is 7/8 ins or 2.3 cms.
e box 2 1/4 by 6 ins (5.8 by 16 cms) and holds 494 ems or 1026 ens or heaped 340 ems @ 25oz
b box is 1 by 4 1/4 ins (2.7 by 10.5 cms) and holds 150 ems or 300 ens or heaped 80 ems @ 5½oz or 172en @ 6¾oz
c box is 2 1/4 by 4 1/4 ins (5.8 by 10.5 cms) and holds 325 ems or 675 ens or heaped 201 ems @14oz
j box is 1 by 2 ins (2.7 by 5.2) and holds 72 ems or 144 ens or heaped 39 ems @ 2¾oz or 75 ens @ 3oz and holds shoulder-high spacing of 32 ems @ 2½oz or 60 ens @ 2¾oz
$ box is 1 1/4 by 2 ins (3.1 by 5 cms) and holds 77 ems or 161 ens or heaped 50 ems @ 3½oz
A box is 1 1/4 x 3 3/16 ins (3.1 by 8.8 cms) and holds 140 ems or 287 ens or heaped 85 ems @ 5¾oz

         j       e      mid               £             
 bc       A      
   
(Improved) Double Case
Sample made by Joyce - 32 1/2 by 14 1/4 ins (82.5 by 36.2 cms)
e box is 2 5/16 by 5 7/16 ins (6 by 13.9 cms) and holds 434 ems or 882 ens or heaped 278 ems @ 19¾oz
b box is 1 1/8 by 3 1/2 ins (2.9 by 9 cms) and holds 126 ems or 273 ens or heaped 73 ems @ 5½oz
c box is 2 5/16 by 3 1/2 ins (6 by 9 cms) and holds 140 ems or 294 ens or heaped 163 ems @ 11¼oz
j box is 1 1 1/8 by 23/32 ins (2.9 by 4.4 cms) or 1 1/8 by 1 11/16 ins (2.9 by 4.3 cms) and holds 60 ems or 130 ens or heaped 36 ems @ 2½oz or 59 ens @ 2¾oz or heaped shoulder-high spacing of 27 ems @ 2oz or 51 ens @ 2¼oz
£ box is 1 1/4 by 1 3/8 ins (3.3 by 3.5 cms) and holds 56 ems or 120 ens or heaped 27ems @ 2oz or heaped 59 ens @ 2½oz
A box is 1 1/4 x 2 3/8 ins (3.3 by 6 cms) and holds 91 ems or 202 ens or heaped 56 ems @ 4oz

Some weights of spacing on various occasions and with various stock
½ oz = 7, 8, 8, 8, 9 ems (average 8)
1 oz = 14, 15, 16, 17, 16, 16, 15 ems (average 16)
2 oz = 27, 28, 29, 31, 31 (average 30) ems
2½ oz = 36 ems (ie 1 sq inch)
2¾ oz = 39, 40 ems
3 oz = 42, 45 ems
3½ oz = 50 ems
3¾ oz = 51 ems
4 oz = 56, 57, 58, 59, 60 ems (average 58)
5 oz = 70, 72 ems
5¼ oz = 68 ems
5½ oz = 77 ems
5¾ oz = 85 ems
6 oz = 88, 91 ems
7 oz = 98 ems
9 oz = 123 ems
10 oz = 136, 142 ems
11½ oz = 167 ems
14 oz = 201 ems
18½ oz = 258 ems
20 oz = 282 ems
25 oz = 340 ems
 
½ oz = 14 ens
1 oz = 24, 25, 27, 28, 27, 28, 27, 28 ens (average 27)
2 oz = 49, 55, 54 ens (average 53)
2¾ oz = 72 ens (ie 1 sq inch)
3 oz = 75, 78, 80 ens (average 78)
4 oz = 99, 111, 112, 104 ens (average 107)
4¼ oz = 105 ens
6¾ oz = 172 ens
8 oz = 198 ens
9 oz = 261 ens
9¼ oz = 264 ens
9½ oz = 275 ens
10 oz = 249 ens
11 oz = 270 ens
14 oz = 356 ens
14½ oz = 367 ens
 10 ems = ½ oz
20 ems = 1¼ oz
30 ems = 2 oz
40 ems = 2¾ oz
50 ems = 3½ oz
60 ems = 4¼ oz
70 ems = 5 oz
80 ems = 5½ oz
100 ems = 6¼, 6¾, 7 oz
200 ems = 14 oz
 
50 ens = 2 oz
80 ens = 3 oz
100 ens = 4 oz
120 ens = 4½ oz
130 ens = 5¼, 5 oz
140 ens = 5¾, 5½ oz
150 ens = 8, 5¾ oz
160 ens = 6 oz
170 ens = 6½ oz
180 ens = 7 oz
190 ens = 7¼ oz
200 ens = 8, 10, 7½ oz
210 ens = 8 oz
220 ens = 9 oz
230 ens = 9¼ oz
270 ens = 11 oz
280 ens = 11¼ oz
290 ens = 11½ oz
300 ens = 12 oz
 
Some weights of shoulder-high spacing
½ oz = 7 ems or 15 ens
1 oz = 13 ems or 24 ens
2 oz = 26 ems or 46 ens
2¾ oz = 36 ems (ie 1 sq inch)
3¼ oz = 72 ens (ie 1 sq inch)
4 oz = 52 ems or 91 ens
4½ oz = 60 ems
 Some weights of S.Blake Engravers Shaded No.3
10 A = 1 oz
20 A = 2 oz
30 A = 3 oz
34 A = 3½ oz
Some weights of one square inch of 12pt type (or 36 ems or 72 ens)
One square inch of shoulder-high spacing was 2¾oz ems or 3¼oz. ens
One square inch of normal spacing was 2½oz ems or 2¾oz ens
One square inch of type (mixed characters) was 3½oz.
One square inch of Stephenson Blake Engravers Shaded No.3 (ie 36 A) was just over 3½oz
Tradition has four square inches as 16oz, ie one square inch as 4oz.
Southward (1904) gave figures for 1 lb of composed matter as:
134 pica ems for Figgins type, ie 36 ems as 4¼oz
and 142 pica ems for Stephenson Blake type, ie 36 ems as 4oz
 
Summary
BoxCaseSizeFilled with uprightHeaped level to box top
 ins or cmspicaEmsEnsEmsEnsType
 A 
Upper2 x 1 15/16 ins
(5 x 4.9 cms)
12x11½132275
9½oz
68
5¼oz
140
5¾oz
63em or 122en
4¾oz or 5½oz
j
Lower1 3/4 x 1 3/4 ins
(4.5 x 4.5 cms)
10x10100
7oz
20057
4oz
105
4¼oz
45em or 90en
3½oz or 4oz
b
 
Lower1 3/4 x 3 9/16 ins
(5 x 4.9 cms)
10x21210420123
9oz
  
mid
Lower3 5/8 x 1 3/4 ins
(9.2 x 4.4 cms)
21½x10210430 
 
  
 c 
 
Lower3 5/8 x 3 9/16 ins
(9.2 x 9 cms)
21½x21441903258
18½oz
  
 
 e 
 
Lower3 5/8 x 5 7/16 ins
(9.2 x 13.8 cms)
21½x32½6721397 787
29½oz
 
A
 
California1 1/4 x 3 3/16 ins
(3.1 x 8.8 cms)
7x20½14028785
5¾oz
  
$
California1 1/4 x 2 ins
(3.1 x 5.0 cms)
7x11½7716150
3½oz
  
 
 e 
 
California2 1/4 x 6 ins
(5.8 x 16 cms)
13½x384941026340
25oz
  
 c 
 
California2 1/4 x 4 1/4 ins
(5.8 x 10.5 cms)
13½x25 325675201
14oz
  
b
 
California1 x 4 1/4 ins
(2.7 x 10.5 cms)
6x2515030080
5½oz
172
6¾oz
 
j
California1 x 2 ins
(2.7 x 5.2 cms)
6x127214439
2¾oz
75
3oz
32em or 60en
2½oz or 2¾oz
A
 
Double1 1/4 x 2 3/8 ins
(3.3 x 6 cms)
7½x13½9120256
4oz
  
£
Double1 1/4 x 1 3/8 ins
(3.3 x 3.5 cms)
7½x85612027
2¼oz
  
 
 e 
 
Double2 5/16 x 5 7/16 ins
(6 x 13.9 cms)
14x31½434882278
19¾oz
  
 c 
 
Double2 5/16 x 3 1/2 ins
(6 x 9 cms)
14x21294602163
11¼oz
  
mid
Double2 3/8 x 1 23/32 ins
( 6 x 4.4 cms)
13½x1013027069
5oz
  
b
 
Double1 1/8 x 3 1/2 ins
(2.9 x 9 cms)
6½x2112627373
5¼oz
  
j
Double1 1/8 x 1 11/16 ins
(2.9 x 4.3 cms)
6½x106013036
2½oz
59
2¾oz
27em or 51en
2oz or 2¼oz
 
The above weights and quantities are still being investigated, given the variations found. Work needs to be done to fill some of the gaps, and clarify some of the discrepancies, but it rather looks as though there is no easy answer, in view of the number of variables, and the wide margins of error.
 
 
Other empty cases
ie with the boxes left blank
Other type layouts
ie with characters assigned to boxes
Full Index of layoutsGlossary of terms usedSources of the layoutsIntroduction
Quantities in a fount of typeQuantities in a case of type
Notes about Job
and Double Cases
Notes about Upper casesNotes about Lower casesAlembic home page

This page was written by David Bolton and last updated 29 June 1999.