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Compositor's mallet

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Postcard of Compositor's mallet.
000-100-044-916-C
© National Museums Scotland

Compositor's mallet

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: 0098: 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
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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