Machine for engraving type letters, Benton engraving machine

Benton engraving machines are used to engrave molds for casting type.
When a metal plate concave in the shape of a letter (letter pattern) is traced with a needle called a follower, the reduced letter is precisely engraved into the metal material.
It was invented by Linn Boyd Benton in 1884 and marketed by the American Type Foundry, ATF Inc.
This machine made it possible to speedily produce type molds in a variety of sizes.
The Printing Bureau imported this machine for the first time in Japan in 1912 (Meiji 45).This collection was manufactured by Tsugami Mfg. Co. after ATF’s patent expired and was used from the mid 1960s to 1980s.