class="figleft c16"> Fig. 22. Case Rack Fig. 23. Double Stand with working cases held on iron brackets. A rack used to hold cases that are not often used is shown in Fig. 22. Racks of this kind are made in different sizes to hold ten to thirty cases, and in double tiers to hold forty to sixty cases.

Tall racks which hold cases too high to be reached comfortably by a person standing on the floor are not to be commended. While they may occupy less floor space and because of this seem to be an advantage where there are a great many cases that are seldom used, this advantage is usually more than offset by their disadvantages. The upper cases are difficult to handle and are liable to be pied. If the tall racks are near a window they obstruct the light.

A double stand of similar character to Fig. 18 is shown in Fig. 21, in which the space below is fully utilized for two racks, one for full-size cases and the other for two-third cases.

Many foremen do not approve the small size cases for type in common use, preferring to have all the cases of a standard size, so that they may fit the regular racks and stands and be interchangeable throughout the department. To provide for this, double stands are made which have a double tier of racks for full size cases, as shown in Fig. 20. This double stand has the extra space on the top utilized by a narrow galley shelf in the middle between the inclined case supports.

Another class of wooden case-stands is made with the frame having a flat top or table upon which is fastened a set of iron brackets to hold the working cases in an inclined position. These styles are illustrated in Fig. 23.

The Modern Type Cabinet

Fig. 24. “Adman” Cabinet has equipment for two compositors, supply of leads and slugs and assortment of materials such as brass and copper thin spaces and quads. Fig. 25. Double “City” Stand with working cases and case racks. Note that the lower case may be pushed up when necessary to allow access to galley underneath. The closed-in cabinet is the modern plan for a compositor's working stand and for holding cases of type in common use. This is a frame or stand enclosed at the sides and back to exclude dust and debris from the cases. The case runs are thin (often of steel) and close together and the fronts of the cases are made with extra high rims, so that when all are pushed into place they present a closed front also.

The printer's cabinet is now made in a multiplicity of styles and in several sizes. The frames are usually of hard wood, but during the past few years they have been made of pressed steel. Usually they provide for one or more tiers of standard wooden cases for type, etc. Some of the latest patterns combine in one structure racks for type cases and facilities for holding assortments of the various kinds of material which a compositor ordinarily uses, with provision for some special material, as well as ample working space for galleys, etc. They are planned to concentrate the frequently used material near to the compositor's hands, to enable him to save the time occupied in going from place to place about the room.

Fig. 26. Polhemus Cabinet, case rack and galley top. Fig. 27. Polhemus Cabinet, working side, lower case on tilting brackets. The old-style working stand or cabinet as illustrated in Figs. 20, 21, usually made it necessary for a workman to stand directly in front of a number of cases which he rarely used but which might be frequently used by other compositors. In small workshops this arrangement offers no inconvenience and there need be little loss of time or patience among courteous fellow workmen. In large departments, however, especially where floor space is pretty fully occupied and the working spaces are narrow, a permanent workstand directly over a group of cases that are frequently used by several persons has been found to be an annoying and time-wasting arrangement.

About thirty years ago a radical change of this practice was proposed, and is now being gradually adopted for modern equipments. This plan places the working stand on one side of the cabinet and the case rack on the other side, so that there is freer access to cases by all workmen. The original styles of these stands and cabinets were called “Polhemus,” after a New York printer, John Polhemus, who arranged his composing-room in this manner.

The case-front side of the cabinet is provided with a galley top for holding standing matter, etc., while the opposite side (the closed-in back of the case rack) is surmounted with brackets for type cases, galley shelf, etc., and is used as the working stand.

Polhemus cabinets (Figs. 26 and 27) and others embodying this plan have been made in a variety of sizes—single, double, and triple cabinets, the larger sizes providing for galley racks and sorts drawers, as well as the three tiers of type cases.

Iron Case Brackets

Fig. 28. “Window” Cabinet, for two compositors. Fig. 29. Case Cabinet with iron brackets for working cases on top.