Comments on: Help me find a fifties font.

Question: Help me find a fifties font.

nile_red — Tue, 23 Aug 2005 20:28:10 -0800

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.

By: amberglow

amberglow — Tue, 23 Aug 2005 20:39:19 -0800

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

and FontDiner has a ton of good ones.

By: bcwinters

bcwinters — Tue, 23 Aug 2005 21:09:26 -0800

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.

By: luriete

luriete — Tue, 23 Aug 2005 21:36:12 -0800

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

myfonts.com usually has the best prices.

By: mathowie

mathowie — Tue, 23 Aug 2005 23:07:44 -0800

Ray Larabie does a lot of 50s fonts, and gives most of them away for free.

By: holgate

holgate — Wed, 24 Aug 2005 00:59:01 -0800

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.

By: derbs

derbs — Wed, 24 Aug 2005 02:44:21 -0800

Americana dreams
free as well, which is always a bonus

Decorated 035
which isn't free, and might be a bit too 60s

By: jdl

jdl — Wed, 24 Aug 2005 05:49:06 -0800

Chank Diesel gives away lots of free fonts -- some may work.

By: Miko

Miko — Wed, 24 Aug 2005 08:02:13 -0800

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.

By: mrbill

mrbill — Wed, 24 Aug 2005 09:26:17 -0800

I love (and bought) Neutraface

By: luriete

luriete — Wed, 24 Aug 2005 09:29:56 -0800

Yes, Neutraface is fantastic. I recommend it - especially since the designer is a friend.

By: bigtimes

bigtimes — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 23:34:15 -0800

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.