Rubber Hand Stamps and the Manipulation of Rubber / A practical treatise on the manufacture of India rubber hand stamps, small articles of India rubber, the hektograph, special inks, cements, and allied subjects

by T. O'Conor Sloane

STRUCK UP MATRICES.

Didot’s polytype process may be advantageously used for producing type metal matrices. The following is the method of applying it.

The type form is firmly locked and is backed up by and secured to a solid block of wood. It is suspended in a sort of gallows frame with the face of the type downward and exactly level a few inches above a table. Underneath it a shallow tray is placed, into which some melted type metal is poured. The melted metal is carefully watched. The block and type are held by a catch so as to be released at will. Just as the type metal is on the point of solidifying, the block is released and drops upon the metal in the tray. The type should be slightly oiled. The force of the blow produces a matrix in the metal, and the form can at once be removed.

It is well to have accurately adjusted distance pieces for corresponding striking pieces on the type block to impinge upon. The process is highly spoken of, especially for small forms such as those mostly required for rubber stamps.