A piece of British sheet music for “You’re Sweeter than I Thought You Were” [from the 1935 film “Jack of All Trades” starring Jack Hulbert] provided inspiration for a digital typeface based on the credits for Hulbert and the film that rather than the song’s title. What’s interesting is the lettering style was influenced by Art Nouveau at a time when Art Deco was gaining in popularity. The result is Sweet Treats JNL, which is available in both regular and oblique versions. (According to Wikipedia, John Norman ‘Jack’ Hulbert (April 24, 1892 – March 25, 1978) was a British actor, director, screenwriter and singer, specializing primarily in comedy productions, and often working alongside his wife Cicely Courtneidge.)

During the investigation of the infamous murders in Whitechapel, police received several letters allegedly from Jack the Ripper. Of the hundreds received, the so-called, “Dear Boss” letter actually included some details of a crime that had yet to be committed. Soon after, the information in this letter would be corroborated at a crime scene. This font was inspired by the handwriting in that letter. It includes dozens of European characters…and just might be the writing of Jack himself!

A 1949 piece of piano solo sheet music entitled "Playing Jacks" contained the title beautifully hand-lettered in a stencil-like alphabet. Finery JNL is the digital version of this design.

Vododeo JNL is directly named for the free-form sheet music title lettering from Jack Yellen and Milton Ager's "Vo-Do-De-O". The term itself was a catchphrase made popular during the era known as the "Roaring 20s". Yellen and Ager were responsible for such hits as "Ain't She Sweet" (1927) and "Happy Days Are Here Again" (1930) along with countless others. During his career, Jack Yellen provided lyrics to over 200 songs. As a side note, Yellen was married to a distant cousin of type designer Jeff Levine's late mother.