Friday, Nov. 12, 2021 -- Lanston Monotype Flat Mats
I'm not an expert, however, this video tries to describe the variations of Lanston Monotype matrices that I have seen. The second matrix shown, one that I tentatively identify as solid nickel, is probably a typical copper/brass plated matrix, with a thin nickel coating. I would then suggest this was done to protect the matrix or make it 'heavy duty'. Nickel plating typically has great 'throwing power' in that it gets into every corner of the object being plated with near uniform thicknesses and would be ideal to coat a copper/brass casting matrix. I would be tempted to try it however, the most typical nickel plating processes include dangerous Cyanide compounds.
For Lanston Monotype, nickel plating would be a relatively straight forward industrial process, as nickel plating would be well established in North America as part of the automotive chrome plating industry (chrome plating is clear, when you look at a chrome plated bumper on a car, you are actually seeing the nickel). Note that the plating of this matrix with nickel does not affect type-high measurements, whereas copper plating in the third matrix shown is intended to raise the type-high measurement (to correct a shallow condition).
As a tangent comment, I have never seen an engraved Lanston matrix, however it would seem to be a logical way to produce matrices.
Friday, Nov. 12, 2021 -- Lanston Monotype Flat Mats
I'm not an expert, however, this video tries to describe the variations of Lanston Monotype matrices that I have seen. The second matrix shown, one that I tentatively identify as solid nickel, is probably a typical copper/brass plated matrix, with a thin nickel coating. I would then suggest this was done to protect the matrix or make it 'heavy duty'. Nickel plating typically has great 'throwing power' in that it gets into every corner of the object being plated with near uniform thicknesses and would be ideal to coat a copper/brass casting matrix. I would be tempted to try it however, the most typical nickel plating processes include dangerous Cyanide compounds.
For Lanston Monotype, nickel plating would be a relatively straight forward industrial process, as nickel plating would be well established in North America as part of the automotive chrome plating industry (chrome plating is clear, when you look at a chrome plated bumper on a car, you are actually seeing the nickel). Note that the plating of this matrix with nickel does not affect type-high measurements, whereas copper plating in the third matrix shown is intended to raise the type-high measurement (to correct a shallow condition).
As a tangent comment, I have never seen an engraved Lanston matrix, however it would seem to be a logical way to produce matrices.