Category: Press and typeface identification
Later topic: Old Style or Craftsman?
Earlier topic: press identification help please

When was my ATF type made?

Is there an on-line source that identifies pin marks not only by maker, but by year…similar to how marks on china can be used to set a time period of manufacture? The mark on my type is “ATF 577.” It’s on the face of each piece. I do not have any books to reference. Thanks.

Log in to reply   3 replies so far

The pin marks archive will probably be back eventually. Take a look at this for details:

http://briarpress.org/15798

Theo Rehak’s book doesn’t have a pin mark that you describe, and that’s the only reference with pin marks on my shelf.

The Maurice Annenberg book might also have some info, but that one has yet to end up on my shelf.

If “ATF 577” is on the face of each piece of type, then it is the series number your are seeing. A pin mark would be stamped into the side of the body of the type. In this case, ATF series 577 is Park Avenue, a script face designed by Robert E. Smith and first cast by ATF around 1933. Each piece should be cast on a angle body (not square, but angled to interlock together) and I assume that the size is fairly large to have the series number stamped on the shoulder of each piece. The largest font I have is 36 pt., with no series number on the pieces.

This face has been continually cast and offered for over 50 years, so it would be impossible to “date” the actual period of manufacture of your font of type.

A very popular face when it first came out and obviously did well enough to continue being offered, although it is considered to be a real dawg by most contemporary printers.

Thanks very much for your help.