Category: Press and typeface identification
Later topic: duplicate post
Earlier topic: What is a copy press?

Westminster — Baltimore Type Foundry

Hi all,

I have some 24 and 18 pt type that was cast by the Baltimore Type Foundry, labeled “Westminster.” Does anyone know about this type— years produced, catalog #, etc. It is a beautiful (to me, at least!) old English face, and I would like to know more about it.

Dan

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Baltimore Type Foundry’s Westminster is actually their name for Goudy Text. It was designed by Frederic Goudy in 1928.

Sorry I was a little short with the first response, but I was in a hurry earlier. Goudy Text was a Monotype face so Baltimore Type Foundry (a Monotype operation) was perfectly set-up to cast it. Why they changed the name escapes me.

It was (in my opinion) the very best of the “Old English” style of typefaces for legibility and beauty. It could possibly still be purchased from some of the Monotype/Thompson
type foundries still in operation.

Thanks foolproof,

Talk about coincidence… a friend gave me a BaltoType catalog today, and I got the catalog #’s I was looking for. I really appreciate the background material, and may try and see if someone is still casting it. Any ideas where to start?

By the way, have you seen the Lombardic caps that Goudy created with the Textura font? They are amazing; I’d love to find a set. Oh, well— maybe someday!

Thanks for your help!

M&H Type in San Francisco carries both Goudy Text and Lombardic initials.

http://www.arionpress.com/mandh/

M&H is an excellent source for Goudy Text and Lombardic Initials. Goudy designed the Lombardic Capitals in 1929 to serve specifically as alternate capitals for Goudy Text, so you have chosen the perfect cobination for some truly stunning effects.

By the way, Goudy’s original name for Goudy Text was Goudy Black, but Monotype talked him into changing the name.

What’s the best place to read about Goudy’s development of this font? I saw a website that claimed that he worked off a page of a Gutenberg Bible for his design. I’d like to know more, and you folks are an awesome resource…

Locate a copy of “Goudy’s Type Designs, his story and specimens”, by Frederic Goudy. My copy is a second edition published by Ben Lieberman at The Myriade Press, 1978. Goudy was always one for self promotion.

And one more question… do any of you know anything written about the fonts used for early Bibles? I’d like to read more…. Dan

There are so many books about early printing it is hard to recommend particular ones. It sounds like a trip to the local library is in order or some serious online searching. Some general books about the history of the book have good bibliographies that you could inspect for leads.

Paul

Hey Dan,
If you are interested in early printing and type you might enjoy this BBC special.
http://www.dontpressme.com/video/gutenberg.html

Daniel Morris
The Arm Letterpress
Brooklyn, NY

Here’s discussion of a font imitating Gutenburg’s work: http://www.daleguild.com/B-42Blackletter.html

Preston

You guys are incredible…thanks! That should keep me busy for a while…