1923 ATF Specimen Book and Catalog

Jim newberry
on 4 May 12 (19:44)

I found a copy of this beautiful book today as I was looking through some old belongings of my late father, who was a printer and typefounder. I was amazed by the artful beauty and craftsmanship of this work. It is said to be a masterpiece of the art of letterpress printing.

Are others familiar with this?

AdLibPress
on 4 May 12 (19:52)

Yes, it’s a gem. There are similar specimen books by other founders, but the ‘23 ATF is a classic. You should see “Achievement in Photoengraving” from about the same period — also some beautiful work.

Bob

Foolproof546
on 4 May 12 (21:56)

Hi Jim,

Fortunately there were tens of thousands of copies of this book printed. Almost every commercial print and typography shop had a copy of this edition. Enough have survived that many letterpress printers have their own copy today. It is the last of the BIG books produced. BB&S produced their last large book in 1925 in two versions (one includes presses and equipment and the other is without them). After the 1923 ATF and the 1925 BB&S, future catalogs are much much thinner and not as impressive at all.

Earlier volumes by many of the foundries are actually larger than the 1923 ATF book.

Rick

Ragpicker Press
on 6 May 12 (04:51)

There was a ‘23 ATF in the Hallmark Lettering Library.

The cuts & the letterforms were good research
for the ornament & font design that went on in-house.

As I remember it had a Henry Bullen exlibris
inside the front cover.

Also a two volume Peignot from the 30’s.