Manufacturer: American Type Founders Co., Elizabeth, NJ, USA

Model: B8

Y.O.M: ca mid 1960s

Serial No.:

Size:

Acquired: 2013

Description:

American Type Founders (ATF) was formed in 1892 as the result of the merger of 23 foundries. In 1914, ATF started marketing, building, acquiring letter presses, including Kelly, C&P, Golding and Little Giant, and in 1938, the Chief line of offset presses.

ATF ventured into photo composition in 1958 with its Hadego Typesetter Mod. A, which did not fare well, but with many improvements later and implementation of the Friden mechanism on Mod. B and later models, ATF enjoyed success in the field. Ours is a Mod. B8, with a tape reader and keyboard. The 10” diameter font disk usually has the roman, bold and italic versions. ATF closed down in 1993 after a century of being in business.