RaRo Type Styles 1970

Alfred Ransmayer & Albert Rodrian's success story as producer of type had already lasted for more than 7 decades. In that year 1970 the company published its catalog "Liste B1", or "type styles for bar typewriters" in common language. They had tasked designer Jack N. Mohr with the job, and the result is great both for content and style.

Yet again, the collective effort of the typosphere, plus the kind permission of the copyright holder, made possible the publication of this precious document, right now and right here, and also forthcoming on the  typewriterdatabase.com. Thanks again to Ryk, Marlies, graphic artist Rob, and raro plastics gmbh in Berlin!

DOWNLOAD from typewriters.ch (26 MB)

Not only do Ransmayer & Rodrian display a large array of typestyles, but also, in the words of the authors, "[the] technical part of the catalogue contains some interesting information on the dimensions of the various types and letters and on type soldering".

Indeed, DIN 2107 will hold no more mysteries for you. The type soldering part will introduce the important RaRo patent for the aligning cut or prism. Maybe you have noticed the line on top of the "R" in the picture above. That's part of the aligning patent. It made type aligning very easy, at maximum precision.

Another useful page in the catalogue is a list of RaRo type styles ordered by numbers.

So, enjoy! and see you in the typosphere, or at the next type-in!

Type type type - Intercontinental Type-In Basel

Impressions from the First Intercontinental Type-In, held in Basel, today.

The day started well with a video-link to Robert Messenger in Canberra - hence the Intercontinental condition of the meeting, obviously fulfilled.

A first warm-up at the Sommeregger mansion.

Project Rhine: the fab 4 have arrived at the Rhine river. Waiting for the ferry. 

We were surrounded by incredibly helpful people, obviously fascinated by our strange ways, and always ready to take our picture, and propaganda leaflets.

Thank-you note for a fellow taking our picture

Hermes Baby # 5827686

Gossen Tippa. Princess 100.

It's happening! We are on board the ferry and in the middle of the Rhine, typing away! WORLD PREMIERE for typing in the middle of the Rhine!

The kind photographer requested someone sit on the floor - so I did. 

Back home agents F., J. and Z. engage in thorough reading of the Ransmayer & Rodrian typeface catalogues.

This is one of the highlights of today - Zoltan's Hermes Baby # 137801 with Serbian-Cyrillic typeface. Below: detail. Note "I" for Iris Typen as producer of the type.

We then moved on to J.P. Hebel Antiquariat, an antique books store in Kleinbasel. Mr. Pfeiffer had graciously opened his business on a Sunday in order to host today's speed-typing contest. Thank you!!

All ready, all set - who will win the precious trophy? Depicted below, the first prize, is a gift from Berlin. And the winner was..... JASPER! 

5 minutes full speed typing - a heavily disputed match. Attentive readers of a well-known blog and fans of NANOWRIMA will recognize the copied text

corrections, corrections...

Spreading the Gospel: a good many people engaged in conversation at the sight of  the typosphere brigade.

A day in full - thanks everybody for coming!

Rhine typing

location: Constance, Lake Constance, Germany

Under suspicion

This is from an old "Tatort" (meaning crime scene) episode. For decades now, Tatort has been, up to today, a very popular German-speaking series. Can you help ID this typewriter?