Nicholas Bodley skribis:

>
> Does the hot type metal contact the copper directly, or is
> the casting matrix a replica made of something else?

The matrix is made of either brass or copper. The type metal
contacts it directly. (Monotype made some of its matrices for
sizes 14 through 72 out of aluminum.)

> Hoping to see the complete Thompson type-caster, I did an
> image-Google, and found this nice partly-biographical
> description:
> <http://www.apa-letterpress.org/Files/APA/TP/Thompson%20caster.html>
> (Ahh, those "%20"s! A bit of fun. Must be spaces, hex, right?)

Yes.

> Is this what it looks like?
> <http://www.reddragonflypress.org/media/lg_imag0037.jpg>

Yes, that's a Thompson caster. I have two of them. One made
in the 1930s and one made in 1970 in England (one of the last
ones made). If you ever find yourself near Ann Arbor, stop in
and I'll demonstrate.

> Btw, very generally speaking, such machines may not be
> pretty, but when in good condition, properly taken care of,
> and operated by competent people, they usually did excellent
> work for decades; they didn't generally wear out in a hurry.
>
> You blessed people who are keeping "hot-type" (best term?)
> alive are a cultural treasure. Skills that have been supplanted
> seem, in some cases, not to have been lost; I expect that
> there are a few expert roof thatchers (and slate roofers) in the
> U.K., for instance.

Thank you.

> It's within possibility that I could make a field trip to Hartford
> (next Spring?) to see the Paige Compositor and (I hope)
> take some photos. I'd want to arrange in advance, though! I
> fear that the Twain house's curators, while Good People,
> probably would be puzzled by the mechanism of a door
> latch. They probably don't love it, but I do hope I'm wrong. I
> gather that some parts have been stolen by souvenir hunters.
> It really needs especial recognition as a phenomenal example
> of mechanical engineering; perhaps it has been recognized
> already, but I think not.

Best to call ahead. I have heard rumors that the machine has
been moved out of the visitors center.


--Ph. D.