In 1882, MacKellar, Smiths & Jordan began to make type on the
proportional system of bodies. The Pica em, being the eighty-third part
of thirty five centimetres, was divided into twelve parts, or points.
This system of exact proportional type-bodies was approved of and adopted
by the American type-founders generally. It has been favourably received
by printers in this country, and all printing offices will in due time be
fully equipped with types of this description.
The standard for the height of type was fixed at 2⅓ centimetres.
In some European countries printing offices had their types cast to a
height to suit the proprietor’s whim. Some of the foreign founders have
sent young men to Philadelphia to be educated in the American system of
heights and bodies, and at least two foundries in Germany have adopted
the American plan.
The following table shows the systematic gradation of bodies and position
of nicks in the point system, one point being equivalent to 1/12 of a
Pica em.
[Illustration: 3 POINT. Excelsior.
3½ POINT. Brilliant.