The Art & Practice of Typography / A Manual of American Printing, Including a Brief History up to the Twentieth Century, with Reproductions of the Work of Early Masters of the Craft, and a Practical Discussion and an Extensive Demonstration of the Modern Use of Type-faces and Methods of Arrangement

by Edmund G. Gress

EXAMPLE 521
The half-Gothic and half-Roman type-face now favored in Germany as the nearest approach to the Roman allowed by national prejudice of readers

Text type may be seen in use, even to a small extent, on pages [5], [7] (insert), [8], [9], [12], [13] (insert), [14] (insert), [16], [17], [18], [27] (insert), [31], and in Examples [19], [27], [32], [37], [75], [76], [107], [115], [117], [118], [137], [143], [145], [146], [147], [157], [158], [159], [200], [201], [202], [204], [206], [216], [219], [220], [221], [227], [228], [232], [233], [237], [241], [243], [244], [257], [277], [285], [287], 301, [307], [319], [333], [336], [347], [353], [354], [358], [361], [392], [404], [405], [421] and [425].

EXAMPLE 522
Several representative Text types

Block Types

The style of letter known as “Block,” because of its plain, square appearance, is more in use than it should be (Example [523]). It serves a purpose for very small sizes of lettering on lithographed stationery and on blank work, its capitals being more legible than regular Roman capitals in diminutive form; but its use on periodical and newspaper advertising, books and general job work is deplorable.

It is an unfinished Roman letter, as shown by Example [497]. It is really not admissible to the company of the educated and informed until serifs have been added and a difference in thickness of strokes is visible.

Some American typefounder many years ago called this style of face “Gothic,” and under that name this rather questionable type is widely known, probably better known than many worthier faces. It is possible, also regrettable, that it is the “best seller” of the type foundries’ product. Over in Scotland and England the type is called “Sans-Serif” and “Grotesque”; in Germany it is known as “Block”; in France and Spain as “Antique.” Examples showing use of “Block” type or “Gothic”: [263], [276], [291], [305], [318], [320], [321], [373], [404], [405], [406].

Poster artists of Germany and Austria have developed the “Block” type into a very strong letter of wide strokes, which, when printed in color, show forth color values attractively (Example [235], chapter on “Announcements”). This style of letter has been brought out in type form in Germany and in America. Alphabets of the American type (Publicity Gothic and Advertisers’ Gothic) are shown in Example [524]. As indicated by the titles, these types serve a special purpose.