Could someone advise me on what would be a decent cost for me to purchase this specimen book. I have the option but have no idea on value.
This image is not of the actual book, but of roughly similar condition. Cover knocked about a bit, with few fingerprints. internally, a few fingerprints on a couple of pages, and foldouts well creased.
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The 1923 ATF Book generally sells for $250 to $350 here in the States. Check out Booksold.com + addall for some prices.
Thank you for the reply, Bob. Will have to think about it at that cost (about 400-450 Australian). Family and bills come first, unfortunately..
I would put up a search on eBay. These show up every once in a while but they rarely break the $100 mark. These were printed in an enormous edition, can't recall it off the top of my head. Everyone interested in typography or letterpress already seems to have a copy. In the end, ATF still had so many of them they were used as fuel to heat the facilities.
they were used as fuel to heat the facilities.
...which must be why they go for so much now.
Small world: I first saw the 1923 ATF catalog while visiting Gerald (aka bieler) and, not only that, purchased my own copy from someone in Australia (for $250 Australian).
Hi Mark
That would have been in St Paul, I'd guess. :—) Those were good formative years for me.
Someone sent me a bunch of big old ATFs (pre-1923) a short while back as the result of a favor I did. Smelly, but turn-of-the-century smelly. I love books that smell.
But I've always favored the BB&S cat over ATF for some reason. Bit more funk to it I think. Whenever I see one on eBay I bid as they never ever sell for what they are worth. Probably have a half-dozen of em here and there. I really have to get serious about weeding my library!!! Still, never had a Hansen, which sort of bugs me, hmmm.
Looked on ebay, and there was one going there (still is). After 4 days no one had bid, so put down a $50 bid. Well it is now over the 100 mark.16 hours to go.
This ones going on ebay at present
Author: Mergenthaler Linotype Company
Description: xiv, [5-1078] pp. Illustrated throughout with advertisements, facsimiles, drawings, all showing various layout designs, type specimens examples, etc. 8¾x13, green cloth lettered in gilt.
Over 1200 faces and a large variety of special characters listed. Used to assist the Linotype user to a proper selection of Linotype matrices.
Heading: zze(Type Specimen Book)
Place Published:New York
Publisher Name: Mergenthaler Linotype Company
Date Published: 1915
Captured from web.archive.org on 17 Apr 2015. view this capture
