One in the series of fonts celebrating the Halcyon Days of Handlettering. Magic Lantern is a caps and small caps font based on an untitled design by Samuel Welo, whose Studio Handbook for Artists and Advertisers appeared in six editions between 1927 and 1960. Both versions of the font include 1252 Latin, 1250 CE (with localization for Romanian and Moldovan).

In their circa 1900 specimen catalog, Barnhard Brothers and Spindler called this typeface "Samoa", suggesting exotic locales. On the other hand, it also suggests some serious fun, and is named in honor of British artist Dudley Hardy, whose posters used a very similar typeface extensively. Both versions of this font include the complete Unicode Latin 1252 and Central European 1250 character sets.

The pattern for this typeface was suggested by a poster for beer, designed by German artist Ludwig Hohlwein around 1920. The plump curvy serifs suggested a great complement to beer, hot dogs, and thus the name translates roughly to “weiner wagon.” Prosit! Both versions of this font include the complete Latin 1252 and CE 1250 character sets, with localization for Romanian and Moldovan.

This bouncy little number is based on handlettering often found on greeting cards in the 1950s and 1960s, and often the work of Alan Denney. Wild and wacky (and maybe a little bit tacky), this monocase font is a sure attention-getter. This font contains the complete Latin language character set (Unicode 1252) plus support for Central European (Unicode 1250) languages as well.

This exuberant face was suggested by a piece of French sheet music from the 1930s for the song Sur un Air de Shimmy, The name comes from an Australian song from the 1950s about a noncompliant boomerang. Both versions of this font contain the Unicode 1252 (Latin) and Unicode 1250 (Central European) character sets, with localization for Romanian and Moldovan.

This quirky charmer appeared in the 1898 specimen book of the Cleveland Type Foundry, under the name of "Litho", so it's no mystery where it got its name. It's a perfect choice for engaging headlines, anytime, anywhere. The PC PostScript, TrueType and OpenType versions contain the complete Latin language character set (Unicode 1252) plus support for Central European (Unicode 1250) languages as well.

Theater posters of the 1930s were often exuberant exercises in Art Deco lettering sensibilities, and the handiwork which inspired this typeface is no different. Big, bold and oddly elegant, this face is an excellent choice for enticing and commanding headlines. Both versions contain the complete Latin 1252, Central European 1250, Turkish 1254 and Baltic 1257 character sets, with several language-specific localizations.

The inspiration for this typeface was discovered on a 1906 travel poster, promoting the Hotel Braunwald, located in the Swiss Alps. Its odd blend of Art-Nouveau-meets-the-Old-West makes for fetching heads and subheads. Both versions include the complete Unicode Latin 1252, Central European 1250 and Turkish 1254 character sets, as well as localization for Lithuanian, Moldovan and Romanian.

Not your garden-variety utility typeface but, if you need a faux Thai font, this is the one for you. The upper and lowercase positions feature variant letterforms, so you can mix and match to create JUST the look you're after. This font contains the complete Latin language character set (Unicode 1252) plus support for Central European (Unicode 1250) languages as well.

This statuesque semiscript is based on Mirabelle, an in-house design from the German foundry of Wagner & Schmidt, released in 1926. Round, firm and fully-packed, it's sure to get attention anywhere it's used. The PC Postscript, Truetype and Opentype versions contain the complete Latin language character set (Unicode 1252) plus support for Central European (Unicode 1250) languages as well.

Based on a typeface named "Viola Flare", issued by Franklin Photolettering in the 1970s, this version has been kerned for every possible letter combination, so you can mix the swash uppercase letters with the lowercase as you please, creating distinctive and delightful headlines. Both versions of this font include the complete Unicode Latin 1252 and Central European 1250 character sets.

This quirky little number is based on a typeface originally named Turtle, which made a very brief appearance in Letraset's product line catalog in the 1970s. Admittedly, its uses are limited, but its cryptic and playful nature will reward those with imagination. Both versions of this font include the complete Latin 1252, Central European 1250 and Turkish 1254 character sets.

The Vtg Stencil fonts from astype are based on real world stencils from several countries. The Vtg Stencil Marsh design was derived from 1 inch stencils, cut by a Marsh R machine. Marsh produced stencil machines since 1922 and was one of the most important manufacturers for such marking machines. The design is part of the American industrial heritage. PDF Specimen

This hefty little number is an amalgam of two typefaces from the Flower Power era, Dave West’s Elephant Gothic and Wayne Stettler’s Neil Bold. It’s an extrabold, sassy headline face that will get your message across, loud and clear. Both versions include the complete Latin 1252, Central European 1250 and Turkish 1254 character sets, as well as localization for Moldovan and Romanian.

This elegant yet playful offering is based on the typeface Domino designed by Alfred Riedel for the German foundry Ludwig & Mayer in 1954. Its large x-height and subtly sinuous curves make it a natural choice for headlines which are both warm and compelling. Both versions of the font include 1252 Latin, 1250 CE (with localization for Romanian and Moldovan).

Extrabold and exuberant caps from a blackletter face rendered by Ross George in his perennial Speedball Text Book have been combined with a more restrained and traditional lowercase to create a unique and striking typeface that will definitely get noticed. Both versions of this font include the complete Latin 1252 and CE 1250 character sets, with localization for Romanian and Moldovan.

This no-nonsense titling face is based on a Morris Fuller Benton 1934 offering for American Type Founders called, simply, Poster Gothic. Its crisp, clean lines and subtle Art Deco modeling make for attractive and attention-getting headlines. Available in plain and prismatic styles. Both versions of this font include the complete Unicode Latin 1252 and Central European 1250 character sets.

No secret here: this typeface was inspired by the opening credits for the television series "Justified." Alternate upper and lowercase letter to achieve the effect, or—in OpenType-savvy programs—activate the Contextual Alternates (calt) feature. Thin numbers can be found in these positions: ~^{}[]|\<>. Both versions of this font support the Latin 1262, Central European 1250, Turkish 1254 and Baltic 1257 codepages.

An unnamed alphabet from wacko lettering artist Otto Heim’s 1925 opus, Farbige Alphabete, provided the pattern for this delightful, if slightly deranged, typeface. Use it any time you want to add mirth and merriment to a project. Both versions include the complete Unicode Latin 1252, Central European 1250 and Turkish 1254 character sets, as well as localization for Lithuanian, Moldovan and Romanian.

The first in a series of typefaces based on the work of legendary lettering artist Alf Becker, whose works appeared in Signs of the Times magazine for almost thirty years. Originally titled "Extreme Thin Gothic", this was Becker’s 185th design for the magazine. Both versions of the font include the 1252 Latin and 1250 CE character sets (with localization for Romanian and Moldovan).

Based on Morris Fuller Benton's 1905 oeuvre American Extra Condensed, this titling face packs a lot of information into very little horizontal space. Its champfered corners give the font an industrial feel which remains fresh even after more than a century. Both versions include the complete Latin 1252, Central European 1250 and Turkish 1254 character sets, with localization for Lithuanian, Moldovan and Romanian.

Here's a faithful rendering of a typeface originally named Octic, from the 1884 specimen book of the Palmer & Rey Type Foundry of San Francisco. Its geometric severity is softened by the gently scalloped "bites" taken out of the corner. Sets tight to make attention-getting headlines. Both versions contain the complete Latin 1252, Central European 1250 and Turkish 1254 character sets.

The inspiration for this typeface—originally called Elefanta—enjoyed popularity stateside in the late nineteenth century, an import from the Karl Brendler & Söhne foundry of Vienna. Its graceful yet playful elegance makes it suited for a wide range of projects where projecting warmth is desirable. Both versions contain the complete Latin 1252, Central European 1250 and Turkish 1254 character sets.

This typeface made its first appearance in Schelter & Giesecke's 1915 specimen book. It exhibits the cleanness and crispness one might expect in a sans-serif face, along with a few unexpected grace notes that make it warm and friendly, as well. Both versions of this font include the complete Unicode Latin 1252, Central European 1250 and Turkish 1254 character sets.

A classic typeface with timeless appeal, based on the venerable Weiss Initials II, designed by Eric Rudolf Weiss for Bauersche Gießerei in 1931. Essentially a monocase font, this version also includes variants located at lowercase a, e and g. Both versions of this font contain the Unicode 1252 (Latin) and Unicode 1250 (Central European) character sets, with localization for Romanian and Moldovan.

A little Compacta, a little Impact, a little photolettering from the 70s, all rolled into one make for a unique headline face that commands attention. Although this font is primarily unicase, the lowercase positions feature stylistic alternates, so can can mix things up and pack them in. Both versions of the font include 1252 Latin, 1250 CE (with localization for Romanian and Moldovan).

This jaunty display face was discovered in one of the many books on sign writing produced by Eric Matthews. The work was signed “King Cole", hence the font’s name. This typeface’s large x-height and tight spacing make it highly suitable for attention-grabbing headlines. Both versions of this font include the complete Unicode Latin 1252 and Central European 1250 character sets.

Here's a clean, simple architectural-blueprint style, eminently suitable for subheads and text blocks. Inspired by and named for a gentlewoman who gave up a career as an architect in Bolivia to care for the elderly in the United States. All versions of this font include the Unicode 1250 Central European character set in addition to the standard Unicode 1252 Latin set.

This little charmer combines an uppercase designed by American lettering artist J. M. Bergling with a lowercase designed by English architect Roland W. Paul. The result has a wiggle in its walk and a giggle in its talk: oh, baby, that’s what I like! Both versions of the font include 1252 Latin, 1250 CE (with localization for Romanian and Moldovan).

Ross F. George, the lettering wizard behind many an edition of Speedball lettering books, called this quirky creation "Spatter and Spot Roman". In this version, the spatters go, but the spots remain, and a good time is had by all. Both versions of the font include the 1252 Latin and 1250 CE character sets (with localization for Romanian and Moldovan).

One of countless variations possible from the modular lettering system called "Super Veloz", developed by Spanish type designer Joan Truchut-Blanchard in the 1930s. This particular variant, for whatever reason, was called "Bob" in the style sheet announcing the system, and it seemed particularly apt. Both versions of this font include the complete Unicode 1252 Latin and Unicode 1250 Central European character sets.

The Neubank family builds on the firm foundation of Bank Gothic, a twentieth-century classic designed by Morris Fuller Benton for ATF, and adds a fluid, dynamic lowercase that makes it right at home in the twenty-first century. This font contains the complete Latin language character set (Unicode 1252) plus support for Central European (Unicode 1250) languages as well.

This sometimes-top-heavy, sometime-bottom-heavy, sometimes-centered typecase is based on an old Photolettering face designed by the irrepressible Dave West, originally called "Nickelodeon". That name was already taken, so I chose another with a nod to the 1953 film starring Leslie Caron. Both versions of this font include the complete Unicode Latin 1252 and Central European 1250 character sets.

A poster by Otto Baumberger for an Austrian winter sports festival in 1907 inspired this charming confluence of medieval and Art Nouveau influences. As such, its appeal is timeless, and well suited for storybook romances of all stripes. Both versions of the font include complete Latin 1252, Central European 1250 and Turkish 1524 character sets, with localization for Moldovan, Romanian and Turkish.

This multipurpose display alphabet combines medieval-inspired uppercase letters drawn by famed book illustrator Walter Crane with charming, if somewhat quirky, lowercase letters by J. W. Weekes. The net effect is a typeface which can add style and warmth to any project. Both versions of this font include the complete Unicode 1252 Latin and Unicode 1250 Central European character sets.

This rough-hewn offering is patterned after Antikva Margaret, designed by Zoltán Nagy for VGC in the mid-60s. Its energetic and, at times, eccentric letterforms make this face a perfect choice for headlines and subheads that will be noticed. Both versions include the complete Latin 1252, Central European 1250 and Turkish 1254 character sets, as well as localization for Moldovan and Romanian.

This font clearly illustrates Jan Tschichold’s dictum that the New Typography would employ “the simplest form” and “the minimum means.” Based on his typeface Transito, the letterforms are as fresh and vibrant today as they were when introduced in 1931. All versions of this font include the Unicode 1250 Central European character set in addition to the standard Unicode 1252 Latin set.

If you wanted to send out a party invitation in 1923, Barnhart Brothers & Spindler recommended this typeface, which was originally called, simply, "Greeting Card". It also appears to be suitable for greetings from Mars. Available in two weights, regular and bold. Both versions of the font include the 1252 Latin and 1250 CE character sets (with localization for Romanian and Moldovan).

A whimsical semi-script typeface named Belcanto, designed by Edwin Sisty for Photolettering in the 1970s, provided the pattern for this typeface. Elegant and engaging, this face is sure to put a smile on yours. The PC PostScript, TrueType and OpenType versions contain the complete Latin language character set (Unicode 1252) plus support for Central European (Unicode 1250) languages as well.

This classically elegant typeface is based on a 1912 design by Johann Vincenz Cissarz for the Ludwig & Mayer Foundry. To add a little more visual interest, alternate letterforms can be found in various positions throughout the font: consult the expanded character map. This font contains the complete Latin language character set (Unicode 1252) plus support for Central European (Unicode 1250) languages as well.