5

Can anybody help me identify the fonts used here?

The sign is WWII, circa 1943 if that helps. I've been digging around for hours and I can't seem to get it.

Tried matching heavy on what the font - nothing is really close.

90th Bomb Group

Improve this question
2
  • 2
    More than likely this is the work of a sign painter, who would have painted these letters by hand. There may or may not be an actual digital font based on these.
    – DA01
    Aug 23, 2013 at 4:02
  • 1
    I agree with DA01, this was hand painted. Analyze the three 'B' letters in the bottom two lines, all three are slightly different.
    – Doug.McFarlane
    Aug 29, 2013 at 18:21

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
10

So, I didn't found the exact same font, but I think this is the most similar-looking fonts you can get:

For the upper part I would also go with Bell

and for the lower part: Legothic URW Light enter image description here

I would post an images, but I signed on a few days ago, so I'm not allowed to..

Improve this answer
3
  • Have +1 for a good answer! Now you can load the image :-)
    – Andrew Leach
    Aug 23, 2013 at 8:31
  • Wow that Legothic URW is a good find - very good match, even the lowercase "e". Only slight differences like the "R" tail and the "W" middle stroke.
    – thomasrutter
    Aug 26, 2013 at 2:33
  • Yeah, and also the dot on the lowercase "i".. But as I said: It's as nearest as you can get..
    – TheWirv
    Aug 27, 2013 at 8:25
3

I believe this will be hand-lettering, meaning that it doesn't use a font and may not even be based on any particular typeface. In this case, I don't believe it's based on any particular typeface but instead borrows from many.

The top one bears a resemblance to Bell

But then, it's about as similar to Bell as it is to Times.

I don't think the bottom one looks like anything in particular. It's quite different, but Linotype Spitz may evoke a similar feeling.

Edit: Marcel Lasaj's suggestion of Legothic URW for the bottom font is even better.

Improve this answer
3
  • 1
    Hey thanks for the recommendations! We were hoping that the sign painter used an “at-one-time commonplace stencil” that somebody might recognize.
    – TuK
    Aug 23, 2013 at 4:40
  • Hey, Marcel Lasaj's suggestion of Legothic URW for the bottom font is even better than mine.
    – thomasrutter
    Aug 30, 2013 at 0:36
  • Unfortunately it is unlikely to have been based on a stencil. Skilled sign-writers prided themselves on their hand-lettering ability.
    – thomasrutter
    Aug 30, 2013 at 0:38

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.