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Phœnix Insurance Co. letterhead

Contributed by Stephen Coles on Jan 3rd, 2016. Artwork published in .
Phœnix Insurance Co. letterhead
Source: archive.org Harpel’s Typograph, 1870, scanned by Boston Public Library and hosted by Internet Archive. License: Public Domain.

This is a sample of letterhead and correspondence from Harpel’s Typograph. Designed and published by Oscar Henry Harpel in 1870, the Typograph was a comprehensive guide for letterpress printers and contains many examples of elaborate typesetting and printing techniques. The book is an example of high quality Victorian design, and a catalyst for the style in America. Such “artistic printing” was enhanced and expanded by printers such as William J. Kelly of New York and his publication The American Model Printer.

Typefaces

  • Bruce Mikita
  • Bank Note
  • Boldface Italic
  • Law Italic
  • Sloping Black
  • Grotesque No. 2 (Farmer)
  • Gothic Condensed No. 2

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2 Comments on “Phœnix Insurance Co. letterhead”

  1. Here’s some identification for ya:

    “Cincinnati”: Sloping Black
    “Or, Book of Specimens”: Grotesque No. 2
    “Branch Office”: Gothic Condensed No. 2

  2. Great job! Thanks, Bryson. I’ve added the typefaces.

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