POINT SYSTEM OF TYPE-BODIES.
In 1882, MacKellar, Smiths & Jordan began to make type on the proportional system of bodies. The Pica em, being the eighty-third part of thirty five centimetres, was divided into twelve parts, or points. This system of exact proportional type-bodies was approved of and adopted by the American type-founders generally. It has been favourably received by printers in this country, and all printing offices will in due time be fully equipped with types of this description.
The standard for the height of type was fixed at 2⅓ centimetres.
In some European countries printing offices had their types cast to a height to suit the proprietor’s whim. Some of the foreign founders have sent young men to Philadelphia to be educated in the American system of heights and bodies, and at least two foundries in Germany have adopted the American plan.
The following table shows the systematic gradation of bodies and position of nicks in the point system, one point being equivalent to 1/12 of a Pica em.
3 Point. Excelsior.
3½ Point. Brilliant.
4 Point. Semi-Brevier.
4½ Point. Diamond.
5 Point. Pearl.
5½ Point. Agate.
6 Point. Nonpareil.
7 Point. Minion.
8 Point. Brevier.
9 Point. Bourgeois.
10 Point. Long Primer.
11 Point. Small Pica.
12 Point. Pica.
14 Point. English.
16 Point. Two-line Brevier.
18 Point. Three-line Nonpareil.
20 Point. Two-line Long Primer.
22 Point. Two-line Small Pica.
24 Point. Two-line Pica.
28 Point. Two-line English.
30 Point. Five-line Nonpareil.
32 Point. Four-line Brevier.
36 Point. Three-line Pica.