Help me find a fifties font.

August 23, 2005 8:28 PM

I need a few good fonts for various props in a 1956 play. Does anyone know of a list of several 1950's fonts? I need a sign, window lettering, and I'd like the program to have a fifties feel as well.
posted by nile_red to writing & language (11 comments total)

Rocket is very 50s/diner, and Tasse screams 50s to me

and FontDiner has a ton of good ones.
posted by amberglow at 8:39 PM on August 23, 2005

DincType has a lot of free fonts, many with a retro/50s flare. Probably not 100% "authentic" (nor particular high quality in terms of kerning pairs, foreign characters, etc) but quite nice looking and versatile.

Smile, Jasmine Tea, or Lucky might be good starting points.
posted by bcwinters at 9:09 PM on August 23, 2005

fonthaus has plenty of good period stuff, as do house industries.

myfonts.com usually has the best prices.
posted by luriete at 9:36 PM on August 23, 2005

Ray Larabie does a lot of 50s fonts, and gives most of them away for free.
posted by mathowie at 11:07 PM on August 23, 2005

If you want an authentic 50s look-and-feel for your program, you're probably best using a combination of a geometric sans like Futura with a slab serif like Clarendon. Lileks' ad archive gives a sense of what printed stuff from the time actually looked like. This print advert for a TV show also oozes 50s.
posted by holgate at 12:59 AM on August 24, 2005 [1 favorite]

Americana dreams
free as well, which is always a bonus

Decorated 035
which isn't free, and might be a bit too 60s
posted by derbs at 2:44 AM on August 24, 2005

Chank Diesel gives away lots of free fonts -- some may work.
posted by jdl at 5:49 AM on August 24, 2005

If you need some clip art, you might check out Havana Street's great work. Much of the look they're selling is more 30s and 40s, but you may find elements that work. Every month they have a free downloadable collection -- other items are pay.
posted by Miko at 8:02 AM on August 24, 2005

I love (and bought) Neutraface
posted by mrbill at 9:26 AM on August 24, 2005

Yes, Neutraface is fantastic. I recommend it - especially since the designer is a friend.
posted by luriete at 9:29 AM on August 24, 2005

Who's doing the program?

You might want to try out Prov Type. I like Westminster or Kennedy Plaza from that. Or this font from Blambot. There's a ton more from there as well that might work, like this one.
posted by bigtimes at 11:34 PM on August 26, 2005