This typeface was inspired strongly by one of Ernhardt Ratdolt’s (1442-1528?) many beautiful typefaces. Mr. Ratdolt was a printer from the city of Augsburg, who had also worked for several years as a printer in Venice. He made many advances in printing technique and technology, including the decorated title page. Early books have a mysterious rhythm to the appearance of the text, due to small variances in letters caused by casting irregularities and ink transfer from the press. This supposed defect, which is present in this typeface, gives a pleasing effect when compared to the sterile regularity of modern printing technology. This font has been released as version 2.0 with over two hundred additional characters and improved metrics.

Elysium is the work of Michael Gills who was in turn influenced by Czechoslovakian designer Oldrich Menhart. The typeface is an old style roman font whose refreshing quality comes from the designer's love of calligraphy. Elysium has a crisp appearance coupled with creative and unique letterforms.

Prague was designed by Michael Gills, who was strongly influenced by the work of Czech designer Oldrich Menhart. It is a strong, angular roman typeface with classical overtones. The exciting vibrancy of Prague is suitable for a wide range of advertising work requiring a traditional or classical approach.

Samosata NF is based on Lucian Bernhard’s eponymous Gothic, but it employs all of the alternate characters seldom seen today. The result is an elegant, classical typeface with subtle Art Deco shadings. Available in two weights, all versions of this font include the Unicode 1250 Central European character set in addition to the standard Unicode 1252 Latin set.

With the printing of the Futurist poem “Zang Tumb Tuuum” in 1914, modern art had taken a typographic twist: “words in freedom” (parole in libertà) were now a major part of the art world. The avant garde followed suit. Niedermann Grotesk is based on the everyday type that appeared in early modernist collages, journals and manifestos. It is a peculiar style of lettering—which was originally inspired by the Sachplakat (object poster) work of Lucian Bernhard—and adapted for hot metal in 1908 by Heinz Hoffmann. 100 years ago, the style became a workhorse of the German printing industry. Niedermann Grotesk is an updated variant, referencing the original poster art, each letter carefully drawn with an old brush. Bumpy, bold and blunt—with a suite of alternate characters and a few dingbats—Niedermann Grotesk is perfect for advertising, packaging, poetry, art, protests and retro homage.

This family, in normal and bold weights, is based on Advertisers Gothic, designed by Robert Wiebking for Barnhart Brothers & Spindler in 1917. The original might be considered a transitional design between Art Nouveau and Art Deco; this version accentuates the Deco traits, adding a thick-and-thin treatment not found in the original. The large x-height and short descenders allow for compact, commanding headlines with a carefree charm, a.k.a. bell'agio. Both versions of the font include 1252 Latin, 1250 CE (with localization for Romanian and Moldovan).

I am a HUGE fan of Bernard Cornwell’s ‘The Saxon Stories’. Ever since a television series has been made, the series of books is also know as ‘The Last Kingdom’. I have read them all, at break-neck speed and I can’t wait for the next book!! Wintanceastre (Winchester) is based on a 10th century Latin manuscript. I have tried to stay close to the original letters, but since Latin does not have all modern glyphs, I found myself designing the missing ones. So, before you scold me for having made a font that is historically inaccurate: it was never meant to be an exact replica, nor would anyone want an exact replica, as it would be useless for modern texts and designs. Wintanceastre comes with a whole bunch of ligatures and alternate glyphs. Use it for any design that needs a little ‘Dark Ages’ look!

The inspiration for this elegant, willowy typeface was found in the 1903 type specimen catalog of Barnhard Brothers & Spindler. The original version was named "Racine"; this version takes its name from another town in Wisconsin. The Postscript and Truetype versions contain a complete Latin language character set (Unicode 1252); in addition, the Opentype version supports Unicode 1250 (Central European) languages as well.

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.

Pompeian Cursive is a calligraphically-inspired display typeface featuring a limited number of alternate characters and a handful of graceful ligatures. A lively set of non-lining numerals accompanies, as well as a few calligraphically-inspired flourishes for ornament. The history of this typeface: Oswald Cooper’s relationship with the Barnhart Brothers & Spindler foundry was one instigated under the auspices of creating new styles of type in lieu of following stylistic trends. In 1927, BB&S requested that Cooper create a script-like cursive typeface design in step with Lucien Bernhard’s Schoenschrift and ATF’s similarly-styled Liberty typeface. In response to BB&S’s desire to emulate instead of innovate, Cooper wrote to Mcarthur, “I am desolated to see Barnhart’s hoist the black flag. Your own efforts through the years to boost the foundry into a place in the sun as an originator seem wasted.” Still, Cooper took up the task at hand, creating a delicate, sophisticated type design which he named Pompeian Cursive. The typeface featured a limited number of alternate characters and a handful of graceful ligatures. A lively set of non-lining numerals accompanied, as well as a few calligraphically-inspired flourishes for ornamenting the end of lines of type accompanied the typeface, as well. By reviewing the few remaining original drawings for the type, as well as copious samples of Pompeian Cursive from both Cooper & BB&S' proofing process and period-specific type specimens, Wordshape presents the first digital version of this classic hybrid script/sans typeface, complete with all original alternate characters and ornaments. Pompeian Cursive has been intensively spaced and kerned for the finest setting for weddings, announcements, and general display work. - What was the inspiration for designing the font? While researching a biographic essay for Japan’s IDEA Magazine, I came across the original proofs and drawings for Pompeian Cursive. While a number of foundries have released interpretations of Cooper’s assorted typefaces, they stray from the original rather dramatically in parts. Cooper is without a doubt my favorite type and lettering designer, and to bring a refined return to his original intentions is an immense gift. - What are its main characteristics and features? Pompeian Cursive is a typeface which functions as both a display face and a limited text face. It features classy, thoughtful, and delicate swash capitals and rugged lowercase characters with a low x-height and gracefully long ascenders and descenders. - Usage recommendations: Display type or text-setting. Perfect for newspaper work, editorial design, materials intended to invoke an "old-timey" flavor, or just about anything in need of personality.

What’s the good word? This elegant, stylish typeface, based on an early twentieth-century Barnhart Brothers & Spindler release, named simply "Engravers Upright Script". Based on French ronde letterforms, this version is bolder—which makes it suitable for text settings, even at smaller sizes—and has more pronounced stroke contrast—which makes it suitable for headlines. Versatile, handsome and charming, this typeface is an invaluable addition to any type repertoire. Both versions of the font contain the complete Unicode 1252 (Latin) and Unicode 1250 (Central European) character sets, with localization for Romanian and Moldovan.

Commercial Script is a sophisticated copperplate script design. Its capitals are elaborate initials, and the lowercase letters join together in the style of real handwriting. Commercial Script's elegant refinement makes it a classic and ever-popular typeface. The spark behind this typeface comes from centries-old English Spencerian copperplate calligraphy. In 1985, the American typefoundry Barnhart Brothers & Spindler released a typeface in this style. This was redesigned by ATF's Morris Fuller Benton in 1906, and ATF released Commercial Script" in 1908. In 1994, Letraset' released this digital version of the typeface."

Cooper Black The Cooper Black font should be used in display sizes only. Cooper Blacks serifs are rounded and the counters are small. Cooper Black was designed by Oswald B. Cooper for Barnhart Brothers & Spindler in 1921 for advertising and posters. The capital O and Q of the Cooper Black font are tilted back; in the lowercase, the dot on the I and j become elliptical. The extra bold Cooper Black font has a remarkable personality and reproduces well in sizes over 18 point in titles, subheadings and generally short sentences.

Commercial Script is a sophisticated copperplate script design. Its capitals are elaborate initials, and the lowercase letters join together in the style of real handwriting. Commercial Script's elegant refinement makes it a classic and ever-popular typeface. The spark behind this typeface comes from centries-old English Spencerian copperplate calligraphy. In 1985, the American typefoundry Barnhart Brothers & Spindler released a typeface in this style. This was redesigned by ATF's Morris Fuller Benton in 1906, and ATF released Commercial Script" in 1908. In 1994, Letraset' released this digital version of the typeface."

In 1899, Robert Wiebking (who worked for a number of foundries in his time) designed an all-caps typeface named Engravers Roman (see Engravers #2). American Type Founders, Inc. (ATF) released a heavier variant in 1902, Engravers Bold, designed by Morris Fuller Benton. Engravers Bold was also released by the Barnhart Brothes & Spinder foundry. Today, Linotype's Engravers brings turn-of-the-century elegance directly to your keyboard. Use the Engravers typeface on any formal piece -- from table cards, to menus, invitations, or advertising work. Engravers is similar to Copperplate Gothic, Sackers Gothic and Nicolas Cochin.

A Historical Revival for Modern Typesetting Flair Pennyroyal began as a Barnhart Brothers & Spindler typeface called Plymouth Bold, first cut in 1900. What began as a straightforward rustic typestyle has been revived to include a more extensive character set. But this font wasn’t just revived, it has come alive with character and personality. Taking things further, Pennyroyal Pro adds in Unicase (stylistic alternates), Swashes (swash alternates), and a collection of grunge alternates from the original source and additional alternates included (PUA encoded). You’ll find that Pennyroyal Pro contains 1476 characters. The expanded SmallCaps option for Pennyroyal Pro gives the typestyle a more sophisticated option, while the expansive options like Unicase and Swashes allow for more uniqueness, play, and experimenting far beyond the original typeface inspiration. Opentype features include: A collection of ligatures. Smallcaps. Full set of Inferiors and Superiors. Proportional figures and Oldstyle figure sets. Unicase Capitals as Stylistic Alternates Swash Caps & Lowercase alternates Smallcap Swash Caps & Lowercase alternates Grunge Alternates for Capitals Additional Swash Alternates