This photograph shows the two halves of an opened type mould with types at various stages of completion. In the upper left is a punch, the letter itself cut into steel which is hardened after finishing. Next to it is a matrix, the reverse of the letter stamped into copper or brass with the punch. Next to the matrix is a type with its jet still not broken off. The ladle in the upper right is for pouring molten metal into the mould. The mould itself is metal surrounded by wood, with a central pin and groove for accurate alignment and a bowed handle, with which the caster spun the mould full of hot metal in an arc over his head, forcing the metal into the recesses of the matrix as it solidified. On the book is a type before dressing and rubbing.
Courtesy: Messrs. R.W. Bridges and Sons Limited, and Association of British Manufacturers of Printers' Machinery (Proprietory) Limited
