Retro style is hip, so are early 20th century poster fonts. Size is based on these extra condensed letter forms.
In the 19th century the need to communicate commercial messages on limited poster space brought up extremely condensed fonts creating a new typographical look. Since not really legible in small sizes these fonts nearly disappeared with the change in the commercial communication in the 20th century.
For a couple of years now, these extra condensed fonts have a revival copying the exact historical appearance of its predecessors. Size, though also seeking the inspiration in the historical draft, furthermore aims to interpret this compressed look in a more vivid way by not closing in on the open counters of the round letters, but having its stroke endings slightly curved. Since other characters are defined by straight strokes, Size displays a look more vital and candid, but still distinct, compared to its historical predecessors.
Download Sign and Display JNL Font Family From Jeff Levine Sign and Display JNL is a long-overdue companion font to 2009’s Sign and Poster JNL. The original design models were Art Deco influenced die-cut cardboard letters and numbers manufactured by the Duro Decal Company of Chicago. Square in shape with rounded corners, the thick cardboard letters were used for making show-cards and other display signage. Subsequently, Duro used the same style of lettering to manufacture water-applied decals for boat identification and other uses. It was a set of these decals (with a black outline and yellow interior) that inspired the outline typeface Sign and Display JNL, which is available in both regular and oblique versions. Download Sign and Display JNL Font Family From Jeff Levine Download Now View Gallery