Here’s another offering based on the work of Alf Becker, long-time contributor to Signs of the Times magazine. This only comes from the 1940s, and is a light and bouncy single-stroke face that’s sure to pep up any project it graces. This font contains the complete Latin language character set (Unicode 1252) plus support for Central European (Unicode 1250) languages as well.

A 1928 poster for a café by German artist Karl Bauer informed the creation of this charming and expansive typeface. This font hops, bops, flip-flops and never stops, and is named after a fictitious café which offers cool jazz and fast service. Both versions contain the complete Unicode 1252 (Latin) and Unicode 1250 (Central European) character sets, with localization for Romanian and Moldovan.

In his book, Brushstroke and Freestyle Alphabets, Dan X. Solo called this fabulous fifties face Maidstone Script. Somewhat less willowy than the original, this version is still righteously retro, and takes its name from a collision between a poodle skirt and pedalpushers, two fifties fashion statements. The Opentype version of this font supports Unicode 1250 (Central European) languages, as well as Unicode 1252 (Latin) languages.

Break out the love beads and fire up the lava lamps, and make way for this hippy, dippy homage to the Sixties. Finely tuned letterforms and extensive, thoughtful hand-kerning means your headlines will ride with the tide and go with the flow. All versions of this font include the Unicode 1250 Central European character set in addition to the standard Unicode 1252 Latin set.

The model for this monocase typeface was issued in the early 1900s by Barnhart Brothers & Spindler with the rather prosaic name of Steelplate. A hundred years later, it still retains its currency (ouch!), which is how it got its name. Complete Adobe character set except for superior numbers. The Opentype version of this font supports Unicode 1250 (Central European) languages, as well as Unicode 1252 (Latin) languages.

The pattern for this delightful little font was originally released as Bernhard Heavy Antique Cursive by the Bauersche Geißerei of Frankfurt am Main and designed, of course, by Lucien Bernhard. Dippy, trippy, under the radar and over the top. 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.

British poster artist Cecil Wade provided the lowercase for this typeface, and his compatriot T. G. Birtles provided the uppercase. The result is a rollicking, frolicking, bouncy romp through the alphabet, not unlike a ride in the compartment for which it is named. Both versions of this font include the complete Latin 1252 and CE 1250 character sets, with localization for Romanian and Moldovan.

The pattern for this face was designed by Will Bradley in 1894 for the cover of Inland Printer magazine, and was licensed the following year to American Type Founders. Its classic lines and condensed footprint make this typeface a natural for elegant and inviting headlines. All versions of this font include the Unicode 1250 Central European character set in addition to the standard Unicode 1252 Latin set.

Two typefaces from the 1923 Barnhart Brothers & Spindler specimen book have been combined to produce this gem. Swagger Capitals, designed by Carl S. Junge, for the uppercase and Gothic Novelty Title for the lowercase. Named for a lively dance from the nineteenth century. Both versions of this font contain the Unicode 1252 Latin and Unicode 1250 Central European character sets, with localization for Romanian and Moldovan.

An exuberant typeface named "African Queen", designed by Dave West for Photolettering in the 1960s, provided the inspiration for this exercise in typographic minimalism. The result is stark and somewhat raw, with a unique muscular energy...a natural choice for headlines that will attract attention. Both versions of the font include 1252 Latin and 1250 CE (with localization for Romanian and Moldovan) character sets.

Twentieth Century Poster, designed by Sol Hess for Lanston Monotype in the 1940s, provided the inspiration for this family of faces. Although, historically, the design falls outside the time period normally considered the Art Deco era, its sensibilities are pure Art Moderne. Both versions of this font contain the Unicode 1252 (Latin) and Unicode 1250 (Central European) character sets, with localization for Romanian and Moldovan.

A postcard for a 1952 DeSoto automobile, combined with the (non)sensibilities of legendary British lettering artist Cecil Wade, yielded this slightly tacky and thoroughly wacky gaggle of letters. Use liberally whenever levity, brevity (the soul of wit), or a bit of mischief is called for. Both versions of the font include 1252 Latin and 1250 CE (with localization for Romanian and Moldovan) character sets.

The Festival Titling font was cut by Monotype in 1950 as the official display face for the Festival of Britain which was staged in 1951. Used for all official Festival announcements, Festival Titling was made available for general use in 1952. The festive feel of this design together with the clean glitter and novelty make it a useful face for display and advertising use.

Although the pattern for this typeface, originally named Glenmoy, was released by Stephenson Blake in 1932, the letterforms can be more aptly described as pure 1950s retro. With beatniks, Brando and blue suede shoes all rolled up into one, this typeface is definitely a contender. The Opentype versions (OTF and TTF) of this font contain the complete Unicode Latin, Latin 1 and Latin Extended-A character sets.

Here’s a fresh take on a classic, Caslon Black Swash by Ed Benguiat. Big, bold and beautiful, it’s a natural choice for distinctive and attractive headlines. Several alternate lowercase characters are included in the font, in place of some math operators. 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.

The ATF syndicate released the inspiration for this quaint charmer in its 1884-1885 series of specimen books under its current name. Its warmth and unassuming naivete make it perfect for headlines seeking to evoke simpler times. Both versions of this font include the complete Latin 1252, Central European 1250 and Turkish 1254 character sets, along with localization for Lithuanian, Moldovan, Romanian and Turkish.

Balcony Seats JNL is a different take on Jeff Levine's Aisle Seats JNL. The original font was modeled from Redikut die-cut cardboard letters - used in the 1940's and 1950's for display and show card work). Although the basic letter shapes are similar, the horizontal stroke weights have been narrowed, providing a type variation with a classic Art Deco "thick and thin" look.

Another entry in the trusty old "Schriftatlas" named Phoenix—original source and designer unknown—provided the inspiration for this bouncy bit of alphabetical tomfoolery. Its animated typeforms, definitely retro chic, will put some bounce in the step of any headline it graces. Both versions of the font include complete Latin 1252, Central European 1250 and Turkish 1524 character sets, with localization for Moldovan, Romanian and Turkish

A Japanese design firm called Maniackers put together a typeface design in 2001, which they called Snail. This typeface is based on that design, with a few tasty modifications and some industrial-strength kerning, so that the letters literally slither across the page. This font contains the complete Latin language character set (Unicode 1252) plus support for Central European (Unicode 1250) languages as well.

Morris Fuller Benton’s Eagle, designed for ATF in 1934, which did yeoman-like duty on many WPA posters of the time. This version, unicase as was the original, has been designed to set tight, so that it creates dense and commanding headlines. All versions of this font include the Unicode 1250 Central European character set in addition to the standard Unicode 1252 Latin set.

Cuisine originated from a how-to lettering book from the 1950s. It suggests the script style found on food and beverage labels in the early 20th century. This creamy font does for food advertising what Bodoni does for haute couture. Its simmering, hand-scribed charm captures the complexity of wine and the robust energy of coffee. It shines on luxe food packaging or high-end menus

This rather quirky typeface is based on a design by Collette and Dufour, originally called "Independant", for the Maison Plantin foundry of Belgium. Ultramodern (by 1930s standards, at least) and ultrabold, it takes up a lot of real estate, and commands a lot of attention while doing so. Both versions of this font include the complete Unicode Latin 1252 and Central European 1250 character sets.

The uppercase letters of this magical, mystical face is based on various alchemical symbols used from the thirteenth through the sixteenth century; the lowercase letters are based on those found on a 1935 poster, signed simply “Strekalovsky.” Ideal for adding a little pocus to your hocus, or cadabra to your abra. Both versions of the font include 1252 Latin, 1250 CE (with localization for Romanian and Moldovan).

Another addition to the Whiz-Bang Woodtype series, this offering is patterned after a typeface issued by the old Boston firm of Baker & Greele in 1826. Named after a small town in Texas just a hop, skip and a jump from the Red River and Arkansas. Both versions of this font include the complete Latin 1252 and CE 1250 character sets, with localization for Romanian and Moldovan.

Propaganda in a poodle skirt? Another gem gleaned from Schrifti Alphabeti, a book of Cyrillic alphabets published in Kiev (now Ukraine, then USSR) in 1979. Flouncy, bouncy, perky and quirky, this typeface will add sass and charm to any project it graces. Both versions of this font contain the Unicode 1252 Latin and Unicode 1250 Central European character sets, with localization for Romanian and Moldovan.

The inspiration for this typeface was found tucked away in what is arguably the worst book of advertising clip art ever published (cleverly entitled The Advertising Cartoon Clip Art Book from 1971). It’s so bad, it’s good—at least at getting your attention. Both versions of this font include the complete Latin 1252 and CE 1250 character sets, with localization for Romanian and Moldovan.

A Victorian face named Oakwood provided the pattern for this decorative little number, with its swirls and curls guaranteed to delight boys and girls, saints and churls, and dogs and squirrels…well, maybe not the last pair, but you get the idea. All versions of this font include the Unicode 1250 Central European character set in addition to the standard Unicode 1252 Latin set.

This playful Art Deco classic was inspired by one of many posters produced by the WPA by anonymous artists during the 1930s. An inline version has been added to spice up the visual interest and add a touch of class. Both versions of the font include complete Latin 1252, Central European 1250 and Turkish 1524 character sets, with localization for Moldovan, Romanian and Turkish.

Here’s a futuristic face with a neo-retro twist, based on the logotype for the 1990s tank-warfare videogame for the Mac, Spectre. Whether you're going back to the future or resurrecting a blast from the past, this face will get you there in style. Both versions of this font include the complete Unicode Latin 1252, Central European 1250 and Turkish 1254 character sets.

One of countless variations possible from the modular lettering system called "Super Veloz", developed by Spanish type designer Joan Trouchut-Blanchard in the 1930s. The name is a play on the old G.I. acronymn FUBAR, translated politely as "fouled up beyond all recognition". Both versions of this font contain the Unicode 1252 Latin and Unicode 1250 Central European character sets, with localization for Romanian and Moldovan.

The letterforms for this typeface are pretty much standard block gothic, but its prismatic treatment features a twist: the letters appear to be lit from below rather than above, which is usually the norm. The result is a perfect choice for dramatic headlines. This font contains the complete Latin language character set (Unicode 1252) plus support for Central European (Unicode 1250) languages as well.

The Chromium Yellow family is based, very loosely, on Electro-type Serif, designed by John Wu of Hong Kong’s Archetype foundry. The rather quirky serifs have been removed and a few odd letter treatment have been amended to produce a smooth, techno-friendly family of faces. This font contains the complete Latin language character set (Unicode 1252) plus support for Central European (Unicode 1250) languages as well.

This elegant offering is based on a typeface originally called "Design", from Barnhart Brothers & Spindler’s Specimen Catalog Number 9, published in the first decade of the twentieth century. This version has been fine-tuned to set tight, and is suitable for headlines, subheads, and limited amounts of body copy. Both versions of this font include the complete Unicode Latin 1252 and Central European 1250 character sets.

Although not credited, the inspiration for this typeface, originally called "Dancer", has all the earmarks of the work of legendary lettering artist Alf Becker. Creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky, but not in the least ooky, this monocase face is just what the doctor ordered; Dr Frankenstein, that is. Both versions of this font include the complete Unicode Latin 1252 and Central European 1250 character sets.

This bouncy beauty was inspired by Walnetto Casual, designed by Dave West for Photo-Lettering, Inc. in the 1970s, and takes its name from a mythical West Texas beastie. This version has been thoughtfully designed to use Contextual Alternates to avoid unsightly serif collisions for best possible visual effect. Both versions of this font include the complete Latin 1252 and Central European 1250 character sets.

Karaoke JNL is one of the many alphabets created by the late Alf R. Becker that was showcased in Signs of the Times magazine from the 1930s through the 1950s. Thanks to Tod Swormstedt of ST Media (and who is the curator of the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio) for providing Jeff Levine the research material from which this font design was modeled.

With all of the stencil fonts created by Jeff Levine from various vintage sources, you would think everything had already been covered. Not so. Along comes Amateur Stencil JNL. Modeled from a child's stencil set from the late 1950's or early 1960's, it vaguely resembles Futura, but its irregular widths and semi-stencil appearance sets it off greatly from that classic typeface.

This fresh face takes a number of design cues from Tomás Vellvé Mengual's eponymous design for Barcelona's Neufville Type Foundry in 1971. This version softens many of the lines of the original, and warms the design up overall with rounded terminals. Available in three weights, this font contains the complete Latin language character set (Unicode 1252) plus support for Central European (Unicode 1250) languages as well.

Fire up the incense and break out the love beads! A 1968 poster for a Doors concert by legendary artist Gary Grimshaw provided the inspiration for this wild, far-out and funky romp through the alphabet. Use it liberally to add a little trippy hippie charm to your next project. Both versions of the font include 1252 Latin, 1250 CE (with localization for Romanian and Moldovan).

General Chang JNL is one of a number of fonts redrawn by Jeff Levine from the creative output of the late Alf R. Becker. Becker's alphabets were a monthly feature of Signs of the Times Magazine from the 1930s through the 1950s. Thanks to Tod Swormstedt of ST Media (who also is the curator of the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio) for the resource material.