Compositor's mallet

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A compositor arranges metal type letters on a block so that they can be covered with ink and printed on paper. This wooden mallet was used by a compositor to tap the letters into position in the block.

Part of a compositor's equipment, consisting of a wooden mallet used with the planing block

Some of the most beautiful examples of Scottish printing came from the workshops of Robert and Andrew Foulis, printers to the University of Glasgow from 1741. Amongst their best works was a four volume edition of Homer, produced in 1756-58.

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• Online ID: 000-100-044-916-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1990.30.4
• Date: 18th or 19th century
  
• Material: Wood
  Compositor's equipment / mallet
  
• Dimensions: 156 mm H x 278 mm L x 69 mm W
  
• What: Compositor's equipment / mallet
  
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• References:
  • Keay, J. & J. (eds). Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland. London: HarperCollins, 1994, p 395. 
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