Wrico Lettering Set Value Guide

The Wrico Lettering Set is a cornerstone of mid-century technical drafting, used by engineers and architects to achieve uniform precision before CAD technology. These sets are highly collectible for their mechanical ingenuity and their role in the history of American industrial design.

What Is Wrico Lettering Set Worth?

The typical price range for Wrico Lettering Set is $50 - $80 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Completeness of the set, including the presence of all original pen nibs and multiple lettering templates.
• Condition of the original box, as intact labels and hinges significantly increase collector interest.
• The specific era of production, with earlier 1920s sets often commanding higher prices than later 1950s versions.
• Physical state of the plastic guides, which should be free of warping, cracks, or heavy ink staining.

How to Identify Wrico Lettering Set?

• Look for the 'Wrico' brand name embossed on the plastic lettering templates and the metal pen components.
• Verify the presence of the original wooden or heavy cardboard storage box featuring the Wood-Regan Instrument Company label.
• Check for the characteristic metal reservoir pens and the specific transparent green or amber plastic guides.
• Confirm the set includes the specialized 'Wrico' brush or pen cleaner often included in complete kits.

History of Wrico Lettering Set

Wrico lettering guides were essential tools for draftsmen, engineers, and artists before the advent of computer-aided design. Developed in the early 20th century, these sets allowed for precise and uniform lettering on technical drawings and blueprints, ensuring legibility and professionalism. They represent a significant era in manual drafting techniques.