American Type Founders collection

American Type Founders collection

Descriptive Summary

Title: American Type Founders collection
Creator: American Type Founders Company
Inclusive Dates: 1924-1962
Language(s): English
Extent: 1.5 Linear Feet 2 boxes.
Collection Number: ms4597
Repository: Hargrett Library

Collection Description

Historical Note

The American Type Founders (ATF) was formed in 1892 as a consolidation of twenty-three independent type foundries in the United States. This alliance was formed as a reaction to the invention of two practical systems for automated mechanical typesetting; the Linotype and the Monotype.

Although mechanical typesetting quickly gained popularity, the American Type Founders' efforts helped hand-setting maintain relevance for several years. The American Type Founders also created the first type families and fonts that continue to be widely used, such as Franklin Gothic, Alternate Gothic, Garamond, and Egyptian Antique.

The company was dissolved in 1993.

Scope and Content

This collection documents individual type faces and styles from the height of the American Type Founders Company's (ATF) business and productivity. A majority of the collection is made up of around two hundred and fifty flyers on type faces. Of note is The Goudy Family catalogue.

Also included is an American Type Founders oak box set of font cards with each card displaying a complete set of characters and sizes.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[Item, box, folder], American Type Founders collection, ms4597, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms


Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 
boxfolder
11-12Type specimen flyers
 
113Type indexes
 
114Correspondence, American Type Founders Company, 1912
 
115Brochure - Hand-Set Foundry Type versus Hand-Set Matrices and Slugline Composition
 
116Catalog - A Portfolio of Business Stationery, circa 1920
 
117Catalog - Engineering Applied to Composing Rooms for Increased Production
 
118Brochure - The Typotabular Square System
 
119Catalog - Printing Office Necessities
 
120Brochures (3) - Idea File
 
121Brochures for type cuts, logos, and emblems, 1928, undated
 
122Catalogue and brochures for brass rule, 1934, undated
 
123Brochures for printing equipment
 
124Brochures for brackets, borders, and dashes
 
125Font price lists, 1924-1926, 1938
 
box
2Oak box with set of type face cards, 1962

Special Collections Libraries
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602-1641