Canadian designer Patrick Griffin made P22 Counter as an exercise in exploring the limits of counter-space and interchangeability between extremely geometric and standard calligraphic forms. Within a field of solid stems and horizontal strokes, parallel lines and curves play the role of counterparts to define square and round shapes, making what’s revealed just as interesting as what’s withheld. Each of the three basic Counter fonts stakes its own aesthetic territory, from clean basic minimalism, through the nostalgia of exuberantly pixel-based design, and on to calligraphic-cum-typographic, all within clear and precise geometric parameters. Counter Pro comes with that entire range included in a single font, giving its user the ability to move freely in a visual space and counter-space that can be defined by more than 1450 glyphs. While all the fonts come with extended Latin language support, P22 Counter Pro includes all three fonts in one font, many alternates, swashes and ending forms that are not available in the basic fonts.

With reference to the Type Heritage Project, this font (designer unknown) was cut by Henry Brehmer of New York for the Dickinson Type Foundary of Boston in c1879 and had the original trade name of Renaissant. John F. Cumming later cut a light-face derivative called “Artistic.” A history of the un-patented face can be found at the Type Heritage Project website. Ressonant has a full character set as well as ligatures, superiors, inferiors, numerators, denominators, old style figures, and auto-fractions. There are also alternate caps for N and M as in the original, and, unlike the original, comes in four weights. This font is a documented revival of a 19th-century typeface. The year, country, designer and/or foundry of origin will be published in a series of textbooks entitled “The Type Heritage Project.” Volume I explores quintessential Victorian faces, a spectacular trove of innovative gems; you can see samples by clicking the Type Heritage Project link above.