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(x) Typeface from a Kodak darkroom timer - probably hand-lettered, alternatives {Ray L, Gillian Fi, John N}
Posted by alexcarr in
2 Jul 2010 — 6:39am
2 Jul 2010 — 6:39am
Have some trouble figuring out this typeface. The part of the image that says Kodak Timer. The timer is probably circa 1920s—1930s.
My best guess was Akzidenz-Grotesk Extended but the E doesn't match with the short crossbar and the Ks are not quite right. I'm also not sure if the extended version of Akzidenz was around in the 1920s or if that was added later on.
Image attached. Larger image can be found here http://www.flickr.com/photos/kb1awv/4728792494/sizes/o/in/photostream/
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| kodak_timer.jpg | 165.26 KB |
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2 Jul 2010 — 7:52am
I wonder it is was hand lettered; those K's don't seem to match.
2 Jul 2010 — 8:23am
It looks to me like it has little spurs. Perhaps a Light or Extended Copperplate Gothic?
http://www.archive.org/stream/americanspecimen00amerrich#page/674/mode/2up
2 Jul 2010 — 8:37am
Looks a lot like Sackers Gothic to me.
2 Jul 2010 — 12:11pm
@typodermic I was thinking that as well but I couldn't understand why. I don't know much about how they worked with type at that time and whether or not they would have access to similar typefaces. They could have seen Akzidenz and redrew/modified it. But again, I don't know much about their process.
@gillo I thought that originally as well but I chalked the spurs up to the quality of the photo.
@johnnova That looks really close but the only difference I am seeing is that the crossbar of the A is lower than the terminal in the K
I might get the clock in my hand and take a closer look at it. This is all mute because I don't need the typeface for anything but my father (a camera collector) is curious. Either way, still fun.