In England, type foundries began in 1476, when William Caxton introduced the printing press, importing at least some of the type that he used in printing.[1] Until William Caslon (1692–1766), English type generally had a poor reputation so the best type was imported from Holland.[1]
Only after Caslon had established his Caslon foundry in Chiswell Street, did the City of London become a major centre for the industry, until the end of the 20th century when famous metal-based printing districts such as Fleet Street came to the close of their era. The industry was particularly important in Victorian times, when education became available to all due to the new school boards, and firms such as Charles Reed & Sons, the printer and type founders were in their heyday. The St Bride Printing Library in the City of London encourages wider public interest in the history of type founding for the printed book and newspaper.
