Page:Historic printing types, a lecture read before the Grolier club of New York, January 25, 1885, with additions and new illustrations; by De Vinne, Theodore Low, 1828-1914; Grolier Club.djvu/99

EEVIVAL OF OLD STYLE. 95 JAMES RONALDSON, the son of William Ronald- son, was born in 1768, at Gorgie, near Edinburgh, and died in Philadelphia in 1842. In 1794 he came to Philadelphia, in the sailing-vessel Provi- dence. Shortly after his arrival he renewed his acquaintance with Mr. Archibald Binny, whom he had previously known in Scotland. For a year or two after his arrival in this country, Ronaldson carried on a biscuit bakery. His establishment was destroyed by fire in 1796, so that he found himself out of an occupation. It is related that about this time he encountered Binny in an ale- house; their acquaintance ripened into a friendly intimacy, and they soon learned each other's views and prospects. The natural result was the formation of a copartnership between them, be- ginning November i, 1796, establishing the first permanent type-foundry in the United States. Ronaldson furnished the greater portion of the capital, and assumed control of the financial branch of the business. Binny, who was a prac- tical type-founder, and had carried on the business in Edinburgh, contributed his tools, stock of metal, and types, and superintended the manu- facturing department. The connection proved mutually advantageous, and a prosperous busi- ness was the result. American printers, who had hitherto relied on British founders for their sup- ply of type, patronized the new establishment, and, in Mr. Ronaldson's words, "the importation of foreign type ceased in proportion as Binny & Ronaldson became known to the printers. Ronaldson Series, Pica Old Style, No. 4. Solid. From the foundry of the MacKellar, Smiths & Jordan Company.