This portfolio from Bauer Alphabets Inc. (the U.S. arm of Bauersche Gießerei) contains about 30 sheets showing examples of Bauer types in use. The publish date is unknown, but the style of the design, the imagery, and the release dates of the typefaces shown indicate mid 1950s.
Hellenic Wide and Venus Extended. The Leica M-3 was introduced in 1954, and these ads appeared as early as 1955, indicating that this specimen must have come sometime after.
I’ve specified the date to “circa 1954”. 8 of the 33 pages show Horizon (Imprimatur in Germany), suggesting that this was a new release that needed to be publicized. Four of its five styles are shown, including the Bold that was added in 1954, but not the Bold Condensed that rounded off the family in 1955, according to Hans Reichardt.
Thanks, Florian. I noticed you corrected my Horizon/Imprimatur error. Bauer changed a lot of their names for the U.S. market, even when it doesn’t seem necessary (e.g. Quick and Symphonie).
Yes, that portfolio is useful, and Bauer produced many more in-use leaflets. By the way, here’s a nice specimen of that Imprimatur Bold Condensed:
Yes, it is really weird to see how many names were given to Quick, especially since it is such a good name. Some of them, including RMU’s digital Parfum, might have to do with avoiding trademark issues, of course.
3 Comments on “Bauer Types in Use”
If you like these typeface serving suggestions, make sure to check out all the pages of this booklet. This post shows only about a fourth of it. In addition to the faces already listed, these make an appearance there as well: Futura Display, Lilith, Weiss Initials, Gillies Gothic, Legend, Beton and Beton Open.
I’ve specified the date to “circa 1954”. 8 of the 33 pages show Horizon (Imprimatur in Germany), suggesting that this was a new release that needed to be publicized. Four of its five styles are shown, including the Bold that was added in 1954, but not the Bold Condensed that rounded off the family in 1955, according to Hans Reichardt.
Thanks, Florian. I noticed you corrected my Horizon/Imprimatur error. Bauer changed a lot of their names for the U.S. market, even when it doesn’t seem necessary (e.g. Quick and Symphonie).
Yes, that portfolio is useful, and Bauer produced many more in-use leaflets. By the way, here’s a nice specimen of that Imprimatur Bold Condensed:
Yes, it is really weird to see how many names were given to Quick, especially since it is such a good name. Some of them, including RMU’s digital Parfum, might have to do with avoiding trademark issues, of course.
The naming history of Friedländer-Antiqua/Elisabeth/Elizabeth is an interesting one, too, although a sad one.