Regular contributor Loïc has discovered a 70s gem: a French Letragraphica catalogue from 1977, about which he says, "...for those who may not know, Letragraphica was the avant-garde label from Letraset, started in 1971. As you can see, each type is accompanied by a picture and the result goes from ridiculous to boring, through strange. But anyway, a big piece of work for a catalogue, designed by the french in-house graphic design dept., hardback, 125 pictures by 4 photographers, 260 pages, and only for a one-country market. You don't see such kind of promotional expense these days, do you?"
I really like the sinister hooded figure with Fat Shadow. Scarey biscuits!
Can only hazard a guess at what's going on here...
But the very, very best is the oh so literal interpretation of American Typewriter. Everytime I look at it I chuckle.
But let's not pass over the fonts themselves. Largely forgotten and of little use today, American Typewriter is, however, right up there with Clarendon and Lubalin Graph as iconic character fonts, well up my list of favourites.
Many, many thanks Loïc! Send more!
Just have to say I'm loving the phrase "scarey biscuits". And not everyone's forgotten American Typewriter, I use it fairly often. 'snice!
Posted by: Vicki | 01 June 2007 at 10:43 AM
We'd use American Typewriter alot. In fact it's my wife's "corporate" font. There's nothing quite like it.
Posted by: Richard | 01 June 2007 at 10:51 AM
American Typewriter is not forgotten. Its the primary brand typeface for Sony Ericsson. Look on the side of any London bus...
(I don't work for them).
Posted by: Mat | 01 June 2007 at 01:03 PM
I second the 'scarey biscuits' thing. A quality exclamation!
Great find, btw
Posted by: Simon | 01 June 2007 at 01:30 PM
I'm inclined to the view that you should refer to American Typewriter as one of your favorites (as opposed to favourites). Don't you think?
Posted by: davidthedesigner | 01 June 2007 at 03:47 PM
Damn it David, you're right!
Posted by: Richard | 01 June 2007 at 04:07 PM
Beautiful.
In regard to the letragraphica series, Anybody knows how to get ahold of Beans and also Baby Teeth by Dieter Zembsch. I believe they were designed for the letragraphica series. Are they available in digital format?
Posted by: Erik Larsson | 09 June 2007 at 06:24 PM
Hi Erik,
I can't help you with the fonts you're looking for but you could try Typophile. The Type ID Board is brilliant. I've used it to both identify and source fonts. The response has always been fast and spot on. I bet they could help:
http://typophile.com/forum/29
Posted by: Richard | 10 June 2007 at 10:44 PM
A digital version of Baby Teeth (by Milton Glaser) is available, called 'Bebit'.
Posted by: brian | 11 June 2007 at 01:53 PM