Octagon

This type measures 8 line in size and was produced with the end-cut method. The type block does not have a manufacturer’s stamp.

This face was first shown as wood type by Edwin Allen in George Nesbitt’s 1838 First Premium Wood Types Cut by Machinery. 

This cut of Octagon was shown in American Wood Type on page 297 and was shown in the folio on page 85.

Type name used by manufacturer:

Allen Octagon

This seems to be the Allen cut.

Only Allen seems to have produced this design. The manufacturer of this block has yet to be decisively confirmed. Kelly believed it may represent the oldest sample in the collection.