Spacing Chart – poster, Cooper & Beatty, 1927

Originally formed in 1921 as Trade Composition Co., the company changed its name to Cooper & Beatty, Limited in 1926 after third partner J. L. Pepper left the firm. The by-line ‘Trade Composing Room’ at the top of this poster was undoubtedly meant to provide continuity after the name change. This promotional piece is one of the earliest Cooper & Beatty items in our collection. It demonstrates an early recognition of the value – and perhaps the necessity – of educating their clients about good typography, a strategy they continued to employ through advertising, promotional materials, marketing events, and guest speakers well into the late 1960s.

At the time most typesetting was still being done by hand, using individually cast metal characters. Achieving proper letter spacing (kerning) required meticulous handwork and skill – especially with large or ornate typefaces.

To assist compositors, spacing charts like this one clearly illustrated correct spacing for various letter combinations. Characters would be manually trimmed with a small metal saw, enabling them to fit snugly together. It should be noted that our views on what constitutes ‘good spacing’ have changed over time – and will undoubtedly continue to do so.

This spacing chart, produced around the same time as the 1927 Cooper & Beatty Type Specimen Book, demonstrated the typographic capabilities of the company to potential customers. Its overall design is elegant and refined, reflecting the high standards Cooper & Beatty sought to uphold. – Rod McDonald

Artifact Text

Top: Cooper & Beatty. Limited, Toronto | Trade Composing Room | Spacing Chart Foot: This is good composition | Practice these Principles—and You will Stand with the Masters