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The Ludlow Typograph (generally just called a Ludlow), is a linecaster. It makes slugs not unlike the Linotype, but has no keyboard.

The matrices are assembled by hand into a composing stick, a hand tool which holds one line of mats. When correctly composed and spaced, the line of mats, in the stick, is inserted into the Ludlow for casting.

In this shot, the assembled line of golden coloured mats, in the stick, can be seen on the left front of the Ludlow, and some slugs, cast from that line, are nearby. Ludlow slugs can be intermixed with other forms of typesetting such as Linotype slugs, hand-set type and blocks. Other varieties of composing sticks are on the machine, to the right.

Ludlow typesetting, although involving picking out the mats by hand, is more efficient than the Linotype for some classes of work. On the Linotype it is sometimes quite involved to change to a different typeface or size. On the Ludlow, it is only a matter of opening a different matrix case (drawer). Ludlow founts are available in sizes up to 96 points.

A row of Ludlow matrix cabinets can be seen in the background of the picture of the fallen Linotype (Click here to go back to it). Each cabinet carries up to 20 matrix cases.