Hi Sandro,

check out the Wiki and the linked threads there.
For BE/BQ: FAQ @ Bertholdtypes.
F

The metal face Berthold published varied hugely from size to size.
For instance, if you look at the early 1950s specimen book, you’ll see that some sizes have angled endings to the terminals on S while others have a flat ending, as the clone Helvetica would. Subsequently, AG has become associated with the angled terminal on that letter and c and e, diverging from Helvetica.

Transferring to phototype, most notably with the Diatronic (what a great name) system, these size differences were standardized, because one master design was used for all sizes. So the redesigners had to choose which size to use as the model, or which combination of features from different sizes, to work best across a range of sizes. Of course, there were differing interpretations.

I don’t think any particular version is best. It depends on what you use it for, and why you like it. If one version gives you the Brockmann vibe, and that’s something you can relate to, that’s cool.

I used to like AG, Helvetica, Univers and Folio etc., 25 years ago, but have “been there done that” and am now more interested in newer ideas of what a sans serif can be, and also older ones!—like how the genre originated way back in the 19th century.

There’s also AG Book, which I like best.

Some words from Berthold:
Günter Gerhard Lange’s design, based on the original Berthold Akzidenz-Grotesk, was released in 1969-1972.

More than a hundred years ago Berthold (a typecaster that had acquired quite a few other firms) consolidated several cuts of typefaces (from multiple sources) in the then extremely hip and desirable style of sans serif under the brand ’Akzidenz Grotesk’.
These fonts had no other relationship than a common style. But they were all the rage. Smart marketing.
(In a way it is one of these cases where a common name turns into a brand. Akzidenz Grotesk is a very descriptive name, roughly translates to ’Jobbing sans type’.)

. . .
Bert Vanderveen BNO

Berthold Akzidenz Grotesk BE is just the Berthold Akzidenz Grotesk BQ version that used to be licensed to Adobe. Berthold Akzidenz Grotesk Next is the new version that introduces more consistency regarding weights.