Just My Type: A Look at a 19th-century Specimens Book

Here’s the latest addition to my ongoing series Book by Book! In Series Two, we dive into my teaching collection—a curated glimpse into my personal library of historical treasures. Discover rare books, vintage newspapers, and intriguing ephemera that I use in my classes. Join me as I share images from these unique items. With no commentary, let these artifacts speak for themselves as they reveal their fascinating stories and historical significance. Enjoy this visual journey through my collection and immerse yourself in the past. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe!

“Specimen of Printing Types, Cast at the Letter Foundry of Lewis Pelouze” is a rare antiquarian book showcasing the range of typefaces produced by the Pelouze Type Foundry in the mid-nineteenth century. It provides examples of a wide range of text and display types, printer ornaments, decorative rules and borders, and pictorial cuts.

Pelouze was a prominent figure in 19th-century American typography, operating one of the leading type foundries in Philadelphia. Operating from 1841 to 1892, Pelouze & Co catered to the growing demand for diverse, high-quality printing types as the printing industry expanded across the United States. Pelouze’s foundry specialized in creating fonts for newspapers, books, posters, and advertising, contributing to the visual culture of the time.

The 19th century was a period of rapid industrialization and innovation in printing technology. The invention of the steam-powered printing press and advances in typecasting techniques allowed for faster production and more elaborate designs. In this era, printed materials played a crucial role in communication, advertising, and education, driving demand for varied and distinctive typefaces. Foundries like Pelouze’s met this demand by offering a wide array of styles, from elegant serif fonts for books to bold display fonts for advertisements.

Specimen books, like Pelouze’s, were essential marketing tools for type foundries. These books allowed printers to view the available typefaces and compare their aesthetic qualities before purchasing. Each page featured different fonts in various sizes, often accompanied by intricate borders and ornaments, offering a glimpse into the craftsmanship and creativity behind type design in the 19th century. Pelouze’s “Specimen of Printing Types” is a testament to the rich typographic heritage of the period.