Goudy Cloister Initials
Goudy Cloister Initials
Goudy Cloister Initials
Goudy Cloister Initials
Goudy Cloister Initials
Goudy Cloister Initials
Goudy Cloister Initials
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Goudy Cloister Initials

Regular price
$90.00
Sale price
$90.00
Regular price
Sold out
Unit price
per 

Please note: All full sets of cloister initials are now sold out. In early Spring 2023 we will bw offering individual sorts of 72pt and 60pt initials.
Cloister Initials are being made available for a very limited offering as sets of 60-point and 72-point metal type, each containing the letters A-Z plus 2 tint blocks. Cloister Initials were originally designed by Frederic Goudy and released through American Type Founders in 1917 in sizes from 36–144 point. They were later offered by Lanston Monotype when Goudy became the Typographic Director of the company. These decorative initials are reminiscent of the floriated capitals seen in ancient manuscripts and early printing that sought to imitate manuscripts.

This type was cast by Gregory Walters in Piqua, Ohio on a Monotype Giantcaster with Lanston Monotype mats. Mr. Walters's collection includes some of the only machines capable of casting matrices this size. The type metal he uses is reclaimed foundry metal tin, lead, and antimony alloy. See a detailed description and photos of how Gregory Walters cast the 120-point Cloister Initials (this size no longer available).

Sadly, Greg passed away in early 2022. The Gregory Jackson Walters Typographic Archive is now the cornerstone of a new initiative by the Printing Stewards who " take a systemic approach to printing history by preserving together unique machines, documentation, ephemera and skills." As a cooperative effort to help the Printing Stewards in their mission, we are offering the last of the 60 and 72pt Cloister initials cast by Greg Walters here. Please visit their website to stay up-to-date on their progress!

We also have a specimen poster made from the 120-point Cloister Initials in our shop.