Tuscan Ornate Figures Specimen

Tuscan Ornate Type Specimen, originally uploaded by Bound Staff Press.

Since I had finished carving and proofing my new Tuscan Ornate numbers, I thought I should go ahead and print up a type specimen to hang on the wall. While I'm sure this could be done at any time, life has a way of pushing fun little projects like this to the background. I locked up a less than traditional form that filled the chase of my 10x15 C&P Craftsman, and printed away.

My current plan is to complete the rest of the font with a very small 3A scheme. I had originally thought I would continue with the 20 line (~3.25 inch) size, but having barely locked up only 10 figures in my chase, I think 10 line (1.625 inch) would be a better size. Should only be a few hours. (& Smiles)

In my attempt to hand carve some fancy numbers, I've been informed that the Ringmaster font I used is a revival of a 1830-50s font called Tuscan Ornate or Bracelet Victorian.

It has been re-digitized under the name Main Strike and also as a dirty digital under the name Romantiques.

Turns out the font was available in metal in 18 and 24 pt. sizes as late as the 1970s. I just may have to pick some up. Skyline Type Foundry has the mats to cast this font, but it is not currently in production.

Progress

Tuscan Ornate numbers mounted, originally uploaded by Bound Staff Press.

I have been steadily making progress on my hand carved numbers. The numbers are proofed, mounted to MDF and shimmed with mat board to bring them up to type high.

When I originally carved the numbers, I didn't leave any space to cut apart the individual items. Instead, I cut the linoleum into single numbers, then mounted them all to a single board so that I could align the vertical position. If on of the numbers is crooked it is very obvious because of the horizontal lines in the top of the font.

Numbers Game

I just finished cutting a set of numbers in the Ringmaster font. They are cut from linoleum and will be mounted to 3 1/4" tall x 3/4" thick MDF and shimmed to bring them up to type-high. Cutting type is time consuming, but it is much less costly than buying something this ornate and large. I plan to cut a few more numbers, and maybe a font of letters as well. We'll see how this semester turns out.