The Rapid Electrotype Company has built a new type of machine for use
in this important phase of the electrotyping art. It is a combination
Dry-Wet Machine, designed by its own engineering staff.
Those familiar with electrotypes well know the superiority of the wet
black leading process, especially for half-tones, stipple, Ben Day or
fine type, where much of the detail and sharpness is lost in dry black
leading, because of the crushing effect the brushes have on the wax
mold. In this new type of black leading machine this fault is entirely
eliminated, as the brushes never come in contact with the printing
face of the mold; they merely polish the high built-up spots, thereby
insuring better electrical conductivity to the wax, and a more uniform
deposition of the copper shell.
Two of these especially designed machines are in constant operation in
the ad department, which means the highest grade of advertising
plates.