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The Mergenthaler Linotype Corporation used a so-called ‘triangle number’ to identify matrices. This number contains two parts. The number on the left refers to the point size. The number on the right refers to the name of the face, which can be looked up into the catalogues. Following table combines all lists of matrices by Linotype in America.

The numbering system can look weird at first sight. It is important to remember that every type size was on different matrices, and that those are not neccessarily identical. For example, the six till 12 point often contains to molds (letterforms) on a matrix, often a regular and an italic, or a regular and bold. But matrices contain a fixed height. As the type size increases, there is not enough space on the matrix. Type sizes larger than 14 point are often available on separate matrices. The following sketch visualizes how the molds are often placed on the matrices:



Please take note about the following remarks:

1. The number after the triangle does not point to a specific font. For example, Bodoni has numbers 16△21, 18△101, 21△13, 24△73. The number before the triangle points to the point size, the number after the triangle is random.
2. When searching for a number, some numbers could have been used for several symbols, specifically the matrices with 'borders'.
3. Some numbers were 'recycled' after the original face became obsolete. For example, the 1934 and 1937 books use 8△34 for the face 'Ronaldson'. In the book of 1945, this number is not available. In 1959 and 1966, 8△34 was used for the face 'Corona'.
4. Names weren't always consistent over the years. When a name changed, an arrow '>' is placed before the name, indicating that the item belongs to the item above.
5. Changes in terminology were not considered in this overview (e.g. Face vs. Style).
6. There are matrices marked with an E within the triangle. Those are special depth matrices used for stamping surfaces such as book covers. The surface of the character is positioned at 0.075" from the blank portion of the slug, instead of the normal 0.043".
7. The 1970+ book included some German faces.
8. 'Duplicated Character' ment that two times the same face was on the matrix. See the 1970+ book p 49.
9. Some books put a note behind the identifier. In the table, they are put in a separate column and the notes are explained below the page.
10. In this table, the 'Linotype Figures' from the book 'Linotype Faces' (p 906 onwards) are not yet included.