Ruby

The name of a type next in size larger than Pearl and smaller than Nonpareil in body. It is the half of Small Pica. Mr. Hansard, in bis “Typographia,” gives the following account of its origin and name:—“It was, in fact, originally a Nonpareil with short ascenders descenders cast on a smaller body, or sometimes a Pearl on a larger, to look open; but now, some founders have a distinct specimen for this size. This name has but very lately adopted in the typefounders’ specimens; but some year’s ago it was found by the writer of this absolutely necessary to give some distinguishing appellation to this size, as the letter-founders had given him one nick Pearls of two bodies. viz., one fount half Small Pica another half Long Primer. The mistakes arising from this circumstance, in a house much in the habit of using small type, occasioned the expedient of inventing a new name; and as the neighbouring sizes were called Pearl and Diamond, it seemed not very inapplicable to take the name of Ruby.”