Ludlow Typograph 18, 24, 36 Point Formal Script, 45 Degree Mats, Spacing, Rare
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:1160285 | Brand: Ludlow Typograph |
| Non-Domestic Product: No | Custom Bundle: No |
| Modified Item: No |
For auction are three full fonts of one of the rarities manufactured by the Ludlow Typograph Company -- Formal Script. Cut on a 45 degree angle, this tight-kerning typeface allows the compositor to set fresh lines of script for a variety of social printing. Offered in this lot are fonts of 18 point, 24 point, and 36 point matrices along with a font of the special spacing these mats require (complete with a set of 45 degree wedges).
There is no other way for me to sell th...ese fonts of mats than as a lot in that I have only the one set of spaces. I've given this quite a bit of thought, of course, but decided that for someone to buy a single font without spacing would pretty much render those mats useless except as a curio. I kept the 18 and 24 point sizes in regular mat cases, and to ease setting these mats (with their sharp corners) I one day cut a great number pieces of 6 pica wood furniture to fit each compartment -- ran a few short of what was needed -- but these wedges are also included. If you buy these fonts, you will thank me.
I kept the 36 point mats in a display mat case along with the spacing; honestly, the 36 point mats won't fit into a standard 7/8" case -- you'd have to dig some of them out with a screwdriver. I would pull out the 36 point case (located under the 18 and 24 point mats) and when ready to space a line I'd close that case and having spacing at the ready.
These were part of the matrix library of Roberts and Sutter here in Springfield, Missouri, and I obtained them in the year 2000. As far as I was able to learn, Roberts and Sutter bought these mats new in the early 1950s. I've set the starting price a little high, perhaps, but feel that the Buy it Now price is perfectly fair given what these mats are.
These are fonts that are used, of course, but they are in great condition, and I sell them without reservation. (The Ludlow cases itself nor the galleys are not included in this auction.) The one point spaces are slightly wavy (they compress nicely) and the corner wedges have some use -- they would occasionally create a hairline that I'd have to trim off with a knife -- I've a feeling that dressing them would take care of that issue, but my Ludlow matrix dressing files are somewhere in one of the storage units.
Unlike some fonts I have listed in the past, I'm not selling these based on the value of the brass.
These will ship in a USPS Medium Flat rate box for $14.35. If you win more than one auction, I can pack more than one font in such a box. Insurance is covered as part of the "handling fee." If you do win multiple bids, please wait to pay until I've invoiced you with the correct shipping amount. I will ship to locations outside of the United States, but chose not to use the eBay International option -- that's just an additional expense for you, and I'm not afraid to fill out a customs form.
Thank you, and good luck.
Why are you selling things?Since the death of my wife Donna last year, I have lost interest in several areas; that, coupled with the need to downsize collections and to make sure that my own children aren’t faced with three storage units of printing machinery, and a garage and house full of “stuff” means that this eBay page will be devoted to selling personal and letterpress items. I have no intentions whatsoever to make this into a retail page; indeed, proceeds are going to-wards medical bills and student loans.
How are returns handled?If there is a problem with an item you have purchased, please immediately contact me – I don’t want you to be dissatisfied at all. If I can’t work out something to your satisfaction, send the item back to me postpaid, and I will refund your purchase price (assuming someone didn’t switch items or let their dog play with it before returning it). Basically, I want to treat you the way I want to be treated when I buy something via eBay.
Do you ship overseas?You betcha! Shipping can be arranged to virtually any point on the globe – mind you, shipping may kill you, but I am more than willing to send items overseas. One caveat is that letterpress items are generally heavy, and in the past I remember sending a font of Ludlow matrices to Italy; the shipping was three times the cost of the mats. I do not participate in the eBay Global Shipping Program -- all that does is to ramp up shipping costs to the ridiculous level.
Can I choose my own shipper?Probably not. I am a Mail Processing Clerk for the Springfield, Missouri Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC), and frankly, I want to provide job security for myself and others. However, knowing the post office as I do means that I will use every trick of the trade to ensure that your package is properly wrapped, labeled, and I’ll make darn sure that I’m sending whatever to a good address; part of my job entails handling mis-routed parcels, and I don’t want your package to go astray. UPS and FedEx are good at what they do, but USPS handles more pieces of mail in a single day than UPS does in an entire year.
What is Priority Flat Rate shipping?The USPS offers flat rate shipping based on package size alone, and this can save you a great deal of money getting your parcel. Whenever possible, and especially with heavy shipments, I will ship using USPS Priority Flat Rate boxes. I’ve shipped as much as 50 pounds in a medium box before, and the savings by using Priority Flat rate packaging over standard shipping approached $50.00. Again, I will use my inside knowledge of the post office to always try and find the best shipping value for you before I even list an item.
Do you charge sales tax?No.
Do you have a brick and mortar location?No. This operation is being run out of my house and off of my kitchen table. I do have three storage units filled with letterpress appurtenances, and a double garage filled with stuff. But you can’t come rooting around in it all.
Do you offer local pickup?Even though I do not have a brick and mortar location, any purchaser in the greater Springfield, Missouri area is welcome to arrange for local pickup. Due to my work schedule, this may be a bit restrictive. However, on large letterpress items, the only way to get them would be local pickup. Either way, I’ll be glad to work with you.
Can I trade with you?No – that’s flat against eBay rules, so of course not.
Are there payment options other than PayPal?Yes, although PayPal is my preferred method. A personal cheque is fine, but I will have to hold your item until the cheque has cleared your bank. If you want to pay in silver coin or silver-clad coin, I will figure out what your total would be based on spot silver prices. I don’t accept first-born children or cattle (besides, you aren’t buying a wife), and generally look at cashier’s cheques as if they smell of three-week old Nigerian tuna.
Do you accept debit or credit cards?Not at present. This may change in the future.
There is no other way for me to sell th...ese fonts of mats than as a lot in that I have only the one set of spaces. I've given this quite a bit of thought, of course, but decided that for someone to buy a single font without spacing would pretty much render those mats useless except as a curio. I kept the 18 and 24 point sizes in regular mat cases, and to ease setting these mats (with their sharp corners) I one day cut a great number pieces of 6 pica wood furniture to fit each compartment -- ran a few short of what was needed -- but these wedges are also included. If you buy these fonts, you will thank me.
I kept the 36 point mats in a display mat case along with the spacing; honestly, the 36 point mats won't fit into a standard 7/8" case -- you'd have to dig some of them out with a screwdriver. I would pull out the 36 point case (located under the 18 and 24 point mats) and when ready to space a line I'd close that case and having spacing at the ready.
These were part of the matrix library of Roberts and Sutter here in Springfield, Missouri, and I obtained them in the year 2000. As far as I was able to learn, Roberts and Sutter bought these mats new in the early 1950s. I've set the starting price a little high, perhaps, but feel that the Buy it Now price is perfectly fair given what these mats are.
These are fonts that are used, of course, but they are in great condition, and I sell them without reservation. (The Ludlow cases itself nor the galleys are not included in this auction.) The one point spaces are slightly wavy (they compress nicely) and the corner wedges have some use -- they would occasionally create a hairline that I'd have to trim off with a knife -- I've a feeling that dressing them would take care of that issue, but my Ludlow matrix dressing files are somewhere in one of the storage units.
Unlike some fonts I have listed in the past, I'm not selling these based on the value of the brass.
These will ship in a USPS Medium Flat rate box for $14.35. If you win more than one auction, I can pack more than one font in such a box. Insurance is covered as part of the "handling fee." If you do win multiple bids, please wait to pay until I've invoiced you with the correct shipping amount. I will ship to locations outside of the United States, but chose not to use the eBay International option -- that's just an additional expense for you, and I'm not afraid to fill out a customs form.
Thank you, and good luck.
Why are you selling things?Since the death of my wife Donna last year, I have lost interest in several areas; that, coupled with the need to downsize collections and to make sure that my own children aren’t faced with three storage units of printing machinery, and a garage and house full of “stuff” means that this eBay page will be devoted to selling personal and letterpress items. I have no intentions whatsoever to make this into a retail page; indeed, proceeds are going to-wards medical bills and student loans.
How are returns handled?If there is a problem with an item you have purchased, please immediately contact me – I don’t want you to be dissatisfied at all. If I can’t work out something to your satisfaction, send the item back to me postpaid, and I will refund your purchase price (assuming someone didn’t switch items or let their dog play with it before returning it). Basically, I want to treat you the way I want to be treated when I buy something via eBay.
Do you ship overseas?You betcha! Shipping can be arranged to virtually any point on the globe – mind you, shipping may kill you, but I am more than willing to send items overseas. One caveat is that letterpress items are generally heavy, and in the past I remember sending a font of Ludlow matrices to Italy; the shipping was three times the cost of the mats. I do not participate in the eBay Global Shipping Program -- all that does is to ramp up shipping costs to the ridiculous level.
Can I choose my own shipper?Probably not. I am a Mail Processing Clerk for the Springfield, Missouri Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC), and frankly, I want to provide job security for myself and others. However, knowing the post office as I do means that I will use every trick of the trade to ensure that your package is properly wrapped, labeled, and I’ll make darn sure that I’m sending whatever to a good address; part of my job entails handling mis-routed parcels, and I don’t want your package to go astray. UPS and FedEx are good at what they do, but USPS handles more pieces of mail in a single day than UPS does in an entire year.
What is Priority Flat Rate shipping?The USPS offers flat rate shipping based on package size alone, and this can save you a great deal of money getting your parcel. Whenever possible, and especially with heavy shipments, I will ship using USPS Priority Flat Rate boxes. I’ve shipped as much as 50 pounds in a medium box before, and the savings by using Priority Flat rate packaging over standard shipping approached $50.00. Again, I will use my inside knowledge of the post office to always try and find the best shipping value for you before I even list an item.
Do you charge sales tax?No.
Do you have a brick and mortar location?No. This operation is being run out of my house and off of my kitchen table. I do have three storage units filled with letterpress appurtenances, and a double garage filled with stuff. But you can’t come rooting around in it all.
Do you offer local pickup?Even though I do not have a brick and mortar location, any purchaser in the greater Springfield, Missouri area is welcome to arrange for local pickup. Due to my work schedule, this may be a bit restrictive. However, on large letterpress items, the only way to get them would be local pickup. Either way, I’ll be glad to work with you.
Can I trade with you?No – that’s flat against eBay rules, so of course not.
Are there payment options other than PayPal?Yes, although PayPal is my preferred method. A personal cheque is fine, but I will have to hold your item until the cheque has cleared your bank. If you want to pay in silver coin or silver-clad coin, I will figure out what your total would be based on spot silver prices. I don’t accept first-born children or cattle (besides, you aren’t buying a wife), and generally look at cashier’s cheques as if they smell of three-week old Nigerian tuna.
Do you accept debit or credit cards?Not at present. This may change in the future.
