What is a fair price for a font of [used] type in good condition?
The answer is not as easy. If I wanted Cooper Black and found a complete font I’d think 75% or more a fair price. However if I was offered 12 point Bodoni, or Arrighi, I’d think twice before buying it at all. If it were much used it would be useless for decent work. If it were very slightly used it could be worth 50%, but all would depend on condition, hard to assess without a glass. The price of a new font of Bodoni 14 point in 1912 was $3.00 at American Type Founders. For the same size font we would charge, at $13.00 a poind, $45.50. The Cost of Living Indiex rose so that the $3.00 would now be $48.48. [cf. www.newsengin.com for cost of living calculator]. The price of quite ordinary paper tripled in the last 25 years. We will be offering type in October in any quantity, large or small, send SASE to me at 224 Main St., Nevada City, CA 95959 if interested.
