5–10. These early-nineteenth-century engravings illustrate Gutenberg’s system for casting type.

A steel punch is used to stamp an impression of the letterform into a softer brass matrix. After the matrix is slipped into the bottom of the two-part type mold, the mold is filled with the molten lead alloy to cast a piece of type. After the lead alloy cools, the type mold is opened and the type is removed.

A. Punch

B. Matrix

C. Type mold (with matrix removed to show a newly cast H)

D. and E. Type mold (opened so that the newly cast H can be removed)