Specimens of Wood Type, Borders, Rules, &c.
The pattern
This still is filed under Specimen as proof.
Define
A specimen (type, material, finish) is shown so the product proves itself under comparison.
Mechanism
Controlled display. Same conditions, side by side, no adjective required. The sample is the sentence.
Verdict
Buyers choose by eye or by hand and we can put the real thing in front of them.
Why it works
It functions as a sheer display of scale and variety. By providing a vast selection of dramatic display faces, it directly equipped the booming 19th-century advertising and entertainment industries with the tools for large-format visual communication.
Steal this when
You are providing the raw materials for loud, large-scale visual communication and need to overwhelm the buyer with the sheer variety and impact of your offerings.