Halloween is a time when perfectly reasonable people choose to reenact some lost pagan rituals. No one seems to know why exactly, but Halloween has been celebrated in its present form for a little over one hundred years. This set of ornaments dates back to the early 20th century and depicts a “classic” Halloween collection of black cats, pumpkins, witches, and other indispensable Halloween ornaments.

The inspiration source for Viper Monogram is the 1934 Book of American Types by American Type Founders. Found in that specimen book, was a sophisticated two-color monogram design called Hollywood Combination Initials, which was available in limited size metal castings. This wonderful monogram style is now digitally recreated, revived, and updated for modern use! Viper Monogram supports one and two letter monograms, but due to its super condensed style works best for three letter monograms. The default typing style for Viper Monogram is an all horizontal all caps setup which can be used for headlines and titling. Type in Capitals for an outline effect, lowercase for a solid effect. By enabling OpenType Contextual Alternates, you can type diagonal top-aligned monograms up to three letters. By typing in all lowercase, and layer a copy of the lowercase with Stylistic Alternates enabled, you can create a two-color effect. Viper Monogram is available in Pro format Opentype fonts only due its unique setup. Download and view the MFC Viper Monogram Guidebook if you would like to learn a little more.

The inspiration source for Pantomime Monogram is an unusual Art Deco design from a vintage embroidery publication which combines both sans-serif and flare serif styles to create a diamond monogram format. This monogram, which evokes visions of it etched into bakelite, was originally intended to adorn handkerchiefs and towels, but it has so many other possibilities. It is one of many monogram designs from the early 1900’s which fall into a two letter format that is either adorned or interwoven with framing styles. Pantomime Monogram is only capable to two letter monograms due to its unique design. Download and view the MFC Pantomime Monogram Guidebook if you would like to learn a little more.

The source of inspiration for Voyeur Monogram is the 1934 "Book of American Types" by American Type Founders. Found in that specimen book was a charmingly sophisticated diagonal monogram alphabet known as “Broadway Monogram Initials”. This wonderful typeface is now digitally recreated, revived, and updated for modern use. Download and view the MFC Voyeur Guidebook if you would like to learn a little more. MFC Voyeur comes complete with Pro format fonts. You will require with programs that can take advantage of OpenType features contained within the Pro fonts.

The inspiration source for MFC Whitworth Monogram is an alphabet set from a vintage embroidery alphabets book, Alphabets Broderies No. 238 by N. Alexandre & Cie. What began as 26 referenced capital letters has been expanded to three sets of alphabets within a single typeface. True to the original reference, the Capitals are the stylized cursive capital letters in all their gorgeousness. The lowercase encapsulates the capital letters intertwined within rectangular frame. By enabling Stylistic Alternates and typing any lowercase letter, you get each letter encapsulated and intertwined within an oval frame. A handful of decorative forms are placed in the 0-6 numeral slots. Originally intended to adorn handkerchiefs and other linens, this digital revival opens it up to a whole new realm of possibilities. This is one of many monogram designs from the late 1800's to early 1900’s that is loaded with panache and intricate detailing.

Frederic Goudy designed this blackletter face based on Gutenberg's 42-line Bible. The Lombardic Caps were designed as an accompaniment to Goudy Text and are offered paired with the lower case as an alternate option. The Goudy Text Shaded is an inline variant that was added later by Lanston Monotype. Both varieties of capitals, as well as an expanded Central European character set, are offered in the Opentype set versions.

The source of inspiration for MFC Decatur Monogram is a beautifully styled blackletter from JM. Bergling’s 1914 book on Monograms and Engraving Alphabets. This elegant decorative style was shown only displayed as Capital letters, so we took it further by crafting matching Smallcaps, Numerals, and lined Capitals, Smallcaps, and Numerals. MFC Decatur Monogram can create one, two, or three letter monograms as well as basic headline and titling settings. It is a refined look that is as darling as it is elegant. Decatur Monogram's numeral set and bullet dividers allow for even more detailed and personalized monograms. If you want to create a more customized look, you can add any of a handful of complimentary brackets to surround your monogram setting. Any monograms or typesettings surrounded by brackets, braces, or parenthesis will auto line the middle lettersets. And lastly, due to its traditional smallcaps - Capitals - smallcaps composition, Decatur Monogram can also type unique headings & titles.

Giambattista Bodoni created this modern typeface in 1790 which served as the structural model for Sol Hess’s faithful rendition. Hess made necessary adjustments for mechanical typesetting on Lanston’s Monotype composition system. Remastered in 2006 by Paul Hunt.

The inspiration source for Tryst Monogram is a showcard script (capitals only) from the 1912 A Show at Showcards book by Atkinson & Atkinson. What began as 26 referenced script letters became an over 800 character font in order to create its unique cameo effect! Tryst Monogram can create one, two, or three letter monograms as well as a unique two letter cameo monogram style - made by simply typing two lowercase letters in a row (using OpenType Ligatures). Add framing to a cameo monogram by adding a number 0-9 before the two letters. It's that easy! Download and view the Tryst Monogram Guidebook if you would like to learn a little more.

The inspiration source for Verre Monogram is an unusual hand-drawn letterset from a vintage embroidery publication which comes off more as a Drop Cap or Initial lettering style than monogram. Although its original intention is uncertain, it has many possibilities. This monogram design from the early 1900’s has been updated from a Capitals only to a Caps/Smallcaps set with decorative linking ornamentation. The unique stained glass look of the letterforms allows for a lot of play with manual coloring, and the newly created linking ornaments offer interesting bracelet monogram design options. Download and view the MFC Verre Monogram Guidebook if you would like to learn a little more.

The source of inspiration for MFC Arkena Monogram is a specimen from the 1917 “Strong’s Book of Designs”. This popular lettering style has been incorporated into numerous film type foundries of the past, but lacked digital permanence. We’ve expanded the original All Capitals glyphset to include smallcaps to make monograms, have added numerals and included unique ornamentation for basic titling typesetting. Download and view the MFC Arkena Monogram Guidebook if you would like to learn a little more.

Nicolas Cochin (not to be confused with another font named simply "Cochin") was originally designed by Georges Peignot in the early 20th Century and was based on engraved letters of the 17th Century artist Charles Nicholas Cochin. Many foundries including Lanston released versions in the 1920s. Several digital versions can now be found, but none have kept the irregular details of the metal type which include strokes that cross over each other as if hand drawn (see letters K & y). The new Lanston digitization is the only digital version to retain the idiosyncratic treatment which makes the metal type so alluring. The Opentype version included an expanded Central European character set as well as ligatures, alternates, fractions, superior/inferior numerals (the Italic also has swash characters).

LTC Ornaments Two is the first Lanston Ornament font which uses OpenType features to assist in decorative border creation. The ornaments themselves features designs of Fournier and other classic fleurons and ornaments whose origins date back to the earliest printers.

Milan-based Leftloft studio developed LFT Iro Sans, an expansive family that solves the significant, wide-ranging challenges of branding, wayfinding, pictographic language, and complex editorial use. LFT Iro Sans began as the clear and welcoming wayfinding project of San Siro stadium in Milan. Over time many other styles and weights have been added. LFT Iro Sans never finds itself outmatched by the task at hand. The primary aim was to design a technical typeface that was readable in any low visibility condition, for instance in a poorly lit area with awkward wall shapes and overhangs. This worked well for stadium and large lettering use, but other problems also needed to be addressed, such as complementary iconography. A location developer was left mixing — clashing, really — one type family with a different family of icons, resulting in a cobbled-together look which diluted the brand and the experience. They set out to radically simplify and clarify each shape and its meaning, accepting uniqueness as part of the final visual language. LFT Iro Sans pictograms answers the need for having a consistent and large group of icons, perfectly suited to the text typeface. As it concerns public spaces, this didn’t exist before. LFT Iro Sans incorporated a branding project too, so they decided to let LFT Iro Sans go out on a limb and created a unicase style that demands attention. Each unicase letter is a combination of the lowercase and capital form, quite noticeable in the ‘i’, ‘m’, ‘t’, and unique ‘d’ and ‘b’, balanced by more restrained forms of ‘a’, ‘s’, ‘c’, and ‘e’. LFT Iro Sans is not only a technical typeface, but, thanks to letters’ proportions, can also be used for editorial purposes. Assertive and economical in stature, the text weights are clear and assured. And a display version for headlines in Ultralight and Heavy (with italics) was developed for stunning headlines. For enthusiasts of every stripe, LFT Iro Sans can be a brand’s rallying cry with its arresting unicase, be a developer’s go-to pictogram choice, or set the most demanding editorial text in digital or print. With its many OpenType features, simplified pictogram commands (even available in Apple’s Pages and Microsoft Word), and a total of 30 targeted family members, LFT Iro Sans is a brilliant, easy choice. As with the rest of the TypeTogether catalogue, the complete LFT Iro Sans family, designed by Lefloft and developed by Octavio Pardo, has been optimised for today’s varied screen uses.

The inspiration source for MFC Enschede Borders is a collection of floral border treatments from the 1904 “Ornamenten Hoofdlijsten en Sluitstukken” by Joh. Enschedé & Zonen, Haarlem. For the first time, this decorative border collection is available digitally. You can start with a new document or work on a new layer within an existing document. Select MFC Enschede Borders from the font menu. (Some users may have font previewing enabled in the font menu which will cause the font name to appear as border elements, disable this option in order to choose the name) Make certain that the point size of the font is the same as the leading being applied to the font so the borders will meet up properly. While we’ve adjusted this within the font, your program may override these settings. For instance a 12 point font should have 12 points of leading. Download and view the MFC Enschede Borders Guidebook if you would like to learn a little more.

The inspiration source for Triangulus Monogram is a vintage publication called “Bibliotheque D.M.C: Alphabets et Monogrammes 2nd Series”. Found in that specimen book, is an alternative to the traditionally seen diamond monogram style. A triangular form, this monogram style is now digitally recreated and revived for modern use in Triangulus Monogram, with two letter monograms and a selection of additional frame styles for a final classy touch! Download and view the MFC Triangulus Monogram Guidebook if you would like to learn a little more.

This series of faces was designed initially by Morris Fuller Benton, circa 1900. The design is a refinement of Taylor Gothic from 1897. It features a sans serif thick and thin design with angular stems. Pre-dating art deco, this design feels quaint, yet it still has a touch of modernism. Frederic Goudy designed a bold version of Globe Gothic in 1905 for ATF. The Bold and Bold Italic digital versions have been added to the LTC library in early 2007.

Goudy Modern/Open was designed by Frederic Goudy, who was inspired by the caption of a French engraving. It is Goudy's first attempt at a "modern" face, but with less contrast and rigidity normally found in Bodoni style Modern faces. Goudy Modern was designed later in 1918 after viewing a proof of Goudy Open with the line filled in. Not a true modern face, but still a Goudy classic. The Pro versions include ligatures, varieties of numerals and Central European character sets.

The source of inspiration for Aldercott Monogram is a decorative alphabet designed in 1901 by Marcus Goldsmith, an inventor of elegant accessories of personal nature. Originally developed to be used as individual letters or for advertising purposes, this elegant lettering style is now digitally remastered and updated with smallcaps for modern monogram typesetting use for additional functionality beyond its original intentions. Download and view the MFC Aldercott Monogram Guidebook if you would like to learn a little more.

The source of inspiration for Vice Monogram is an Art Deco letterset (capitals only) from a 1915 publication by Cartier-Bresson of Paris containing classic and modern monogram patterns for embroidery. This Art Deco monogram style has been redrawn, balanced, and brought into the digital age for your type-setting use and enjoyment. Vice Monogram can create one-, two-, or three-letter monograms as well as basic headline and titling settings. By default, Vice Monogram types in a horizontal format, but by utilizing Opentype Contextual Alternates, you can typeset in a three smallcap or smallcap-Capital-smallcap diagonal format as well! It is a refined vintage look that is perfect for a wide array of classic personalization settings. Download and view the MFC Vice Monogram Guidebook if you would like to learn a little more.

The inspiration source for Chaoxiang Monogram is another hand-drawn treasure from a vintage embroidery publication which plays on the anglo-version of chinese letters with stabbing strokes and the charm of the orient. While the original intent of this monogram style is uncertain, the possibilities of its use are up to your imagination. This is one of many monogram designs from the early 1900’s which fall into a two letter format bound within a framing element. Download and view the MFC Chaoxiang Guidebook if you would like to learn a little more.

LTC Bixler Ornaments One includes all designs found in the metal Bixler Type Handypacks #1–6 from P22 that were created using actual Lanston mats to cast these metal type sets. The 14 designs found in the metal type are presented in this digital version—each rotated and optimized to align easily and tightly for digital layouts.? LTC Bixler Ornaments Two incudes all designs found in the metal Bixler Type Handypacks #7–14 from P22 that were created using actual Lanston mats to cast these metal type sets. The 17 designs found in the metal type are presented in this digital version—each rotated and optimized to align easily and tightly for digital layouts.

Goudy Modern/Open was designed by Frederic Goudy, who was inspired by the caption of a French engraving. It is Goudy's first attempt at a "modern" face, but with less contrast and rigidity normally found in Bodoni style Modern faces. Goudy Modern was designed later in 1918 after viewing a proof of Goudy Open with the line filled in. Not a true modern face, but still a Goudy classic. The Pro versions include ligatures, varieties of numerals and Central European character sets.

Goudy Ornate (also known as Ornate Title) was designed in 1931 by Frederic Goudy. He states "It is a simple, decorative face that has been used by some good presses for use on title-pages where size is more important than blackness of line." The new Lanston version includes a lower case and full character set designed in the style of Frederic Goudy.

LTC Keystone Ornaments is a set of over 100 glyphs based on "running border" ornaments from Keystone Type Foundry of Philadelphia, circa 1903. These geometric dingbats can be used individually for decorative emphasis, or combined in repetitive lines or complex patterns.

In researching historic decorative material offered by Lanston Monotype as well as other metal foundries such as Barnhart Brothers and Spindler, there were occasionally ornaments that defied description. Perhaps it was a Victorian sense of humor or someone really thought these were a good idea or perhaps popular taste has just changed so much over the last hundred years, or our forbearers were completely insane. In any case, LTC is somewhat proud to present a collection of the most bizarre, disturbing and baffling printers ornaments we could find. Along with mutant fowl-children and frolicsome amphibians, there are also Masonic and other secret fraternal symbols that may not be creepy to everyone, but just enough to be moderately disturbing.

Unlike previous dingbat fonts released from Lanston Type Co., Archive Ornaments derives from a unique collection of brass ornament plates that were originally used in creating the matrices for casting metal type. Using the plates as a reference point allowed for a more precise rendering of the ornaments. Letterpress prints were made directly from the brass plates, which were then re-drawn and digitized. Each character has been optimized for the combination of decorative borders and patterns as well as individual accentuation. The completed digitized font contains over 100 glyphs, ranging in style from geometric to organic designs.

The inspiration source for MFC Sansome Monogram is a decorative serif lettering style that comes from the book Henderson's Sign Painter from 1906. Known as "Rustic Roman" and originally designed by John F. Irwin, this fantastic typeface has been digitally revived and expanded for monogram designs. While the original lettering did not include numerals and was never originally intended for monograms, its ornate nature lends itself so wonderfully to the craft. A PDF guidebook for MFC Sansome Monogram is available under the Gallery tab.

The inspiration for MFC Westport Monogram was a heavily soiled vintage lettering & penmanship book which only listed this alphabet specimen as "Banker Tilted". The look and feel of this typestyle is reminiscent of old checks and cartography lettering styles, lending itself a wonderful sense of antiquity for any monogram or headline typeset with it. Download and view the MFC Westport Monogram Guidebook if you would like to learn a little more.

The inspiration source for MFC Gilchrist Monogram is an extremely ornamented letterset from a vintage embroidery publication from the early 1900's. We’ve digitally recreated the ornamental glyphs from the original design, and created a matching set of smallcaps in order to offer more versatility with this monogram. We have also created two additional sets of alternate glyphs with different fills for more variations. Experiment with all of these in different combinations for unique designs. Download and view the MFC Gilchrist Monogram Guidebook if you would like to learn a little more.

A very rare metal face made a brief appearance in Lanston Specimen books and has all but vanished from use. In fact no examples of the font in use seem to exist. It shares some of the hand-rendered casual feel of Nicholas Cochin, but much heavier and well suited for bold headlines and package design.

The inspiration source for Monarchy Initials is the 1934 Book of American Types by American Type Founders. In that specimen book, they had created a sophisticated two color initial design they called "Stationers Initials" which was only available in metal type at 24, 36, and 48 points. This wonderfully detailed initial style is now digitally recreated and revived for modern use. Monarchy Initials is only capable of initial or single letter monograms due to its unique design. The two color aspect of the original design has been preserved and made accessible within all programs. The Capital character slots contain the background color glyphs, and the lowercase slots hold the outline art for the letters. You can choose a color, type a capital letter, then switch to black and type a lowercase letter for the two color effect, or just tpe a lowercase letter on its own. It's that easy! Download and view the Monarchy Initials Guidebook if you would like to learn a little more.