The only reason I am so stubborn about metal type is that I've seen it. My recollection is that the color looked a lot like lead, but somewhat lighter, and definitely harder.
When I worked at the Tulane printing shop, they were going to throw away all the old metal type and the wooden letter cases, and I persuaded the boss to let me try selling it. I sold all the old metal type to a metal recycler, and the wooden letter cases at a flea market. We split the proceeds 50-50, and he used their half to throw a very nice office Christmas party. I think I cleared around $300, and that was 20 years ago. I also got a nice cabinet with a marble top that they used to hold the type cases. They rolled the ink out on the marble top, but when I scrubbed it off with toothpaste, it came out nice and white. I used the cabinet as a kitchen counter for years. Unfortunately, I took the marble to be polished before we moved here, and forgot to pick it up. |
