Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Fonts question

Are the old fonts that they used on signs and everything else in electronic form somewhere?
Or is it only the new fonts that everyones computer uses?

I'm asking because some of the restoration and restoration parts look great except for the new fonts on some of them. It's when you compare an original and a repro that you tell the difference.
I didnt know if the old fonts just arent available electronically or too hard to reproduce.
Thanks

I have wondered the same question.
I have looked thru hundreds of fonts on the net looking for one that matches the MARATHON used by Transcontinental Oil in the 1920's. So far no luck.
Chuck

possible some fonts were particular to a company and only they had them?dont know just wondered.

I think with the right references you could find a very close match for various fonts. All letter fonts are refered to by a name. For example the Marathon lettering is very similar to a font called "Pythagoras" which I found in a reference book from an older Print Shop program I installed on the computer some time ago.

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ROD [Mich.]

Because ALL graphics [signs, globes, cans etc.] were laid out & drawn by hand, you will not be able to find a font that is correct for all lettering in the same word. Some fonts will be close [width, hight or spacing], but not as exact as they are now with computers.
I have COPIED [reproduced] over 150+ qt can graphics & have not found any with the same font used for all printing on the same can.
db

Rod and Dick nailed it.

I usually spend a bit of time finding the closest match I can. Then I type and lay out the lettering and convert it to 'paths'.

Once it's 'art' instead of 'type' (to the computer that is) then I go in and manipulate the line work to match as close as possible to the original for thickness, shape and size.

As Dick stated, all of the original fonts from the 1900's up to the late 40's were hand created. You'll never find a perfect match for all the letters.

Later . . .

Jim

[This message has been edited by T-way (edited 01-02-2008).]

THATS INTERESTING,, GOOD TO KNOW.. THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR INPUT..

Just so you know,

I have about 20 Signs of The Times trade magazines from the 30's & 40's and they had a font of the month!!

The coolest one I remember was like lightening.. similar to Reddy Kil-O-Watt and Radio Gasoline..

Thanks Rod, that is the closest I have seen yet.
Chuck