The design of Cheltenham, believed to be the first original type contracted to Linotype, began in Boston in 1900. Ingalls Kimball sketched the basic weight while architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue completed drawings in 1901.

Morris Fuller Benton finished the ATF version in 1902, beating Mergenthaler by two years.

In 1906 he drew Bold Extra Condensed, which David Berlow adapted for the SF Examiner, later a Font Bureau release.

Among other uses, Cheltenham FB is recommended for Newspaper, Magazine, Book and Corporate use.