Type: A Primer of Information About the Mechanical Features of Printing Types / Their Sizes, Font Schemes, &c. with a Brief Description of Their Manufacture

by A. A. Stewart

Paragon—An old size of type, about 20-point ([15])

Patent Space—A type space thicker than three-to-em and less than the en-quad. ([19])

Pearl—An old size of type, about 5-point. ([15])

Pi—Types of different kinds mixed up in confusion.

Pica—Old name, but still commonly used, for a size of type equal to 12-point. ([15]) A common unit of measurement in typography.

Piece Fractions—Fractions made up of two or more types; the numerator and denominator cast separately, usually on bodies half the size of the whole numbers or the type with which they are used. Sometimes called split fractions.

Pin-mark—The little mark sometimes seen on the side of foundry-made type. ([8])

Point System—The standard system of type bodies, based on the point as a unit; in America the point is .0138 of an inch. Calculations are simplified ordinarily by assuming the point as ¹⁄₇₂ of an inch. ([13])

Poster Type—Large sizes for billboard printing, mostly made of wood. ([27])

Punch—In typefounding, an original die of a letter or character cut on the end of a steel bar, used to make a matrix. ([21])