#Catalogue and Specimen Book Keystone Products

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Typography Tuesday

KEYSTONE INTIALS AND CUTS

The Keystone Type Foundry was established in Philadelphia in 1888 and operated independently until 1917 when it became one of the many foundries absorbed by American Type Founders. These cast and electrotyped initials and cuts are from the foundry's Catalogue and Specimen Book Keystone Products Consisting of Type, Material Furniture Complete Line of Miscellaneous Supplies for Printers and Publishers published in Philadelphia in 1910. All the initials and cuts shown here were designed by Keystone's own staff except for the Meridale and Lotus Initials which were licensed to Keystone.

This catalogue was copy No. 5351 and according to its bookplate was the property of Keystone and was only lent out, not sold or given, to a printer/publisher, and was expected to be returned "intact and in good condition, reasonable wear expected." Someone clearly did not follow those instructions, as several specimens have been cut from the catalogue's pages as can be seen in the Caslon Bold Page Ornaments.

View other specimens from this Keystone Catalogue.

View our other Typography Tuesday posts.