Alden Type Setting & Distributing Machine Co. 1865 - New York

Beautifully engraved certificate from the Alden Type Setting & Distributing Machine Co. issued in 1865. This historic document has an ornate border around it with a vignette of the founders ( Timothy and Henry Alden ) and the typesetting machine. This item is hand signed by the Company’s Vice President ( Isiah Low ) and Treasurer and Secretary ( Henry W. Alden ). This item is over 141 years old.


Certificate Vignette




Certificate Vignette



In 1857, a U.S. patent was issued for the design of a typesetting machine invented by Timothy Alden of New York (No. 18,175). This is the first such machine that actually operated. The type was arranged in cells around the circumference of a horizontal wheel. As the wheel revolved, several receivers also started to rotate. The desired type was picked up and dropped in proper order in a line.

The Alden family was the sixth in descent from John Alden, of "Mayflower" fame. Timothy Alden invented a composing and distributing machine. His idea was to arrange the type in cells around the circumference of a horizontal wheel. By the rotation of the wheel, several receivers are also made to rotate, and these pick up the proper types from their respective cells. His brother, Henry W. Alden, made many improvements after his death in 1858.