Comments on: Mmm, how gothic

Question: Mmm, how gothic

avocet — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 17:54:19 -0800

Name that typeface: used on the Michelin road signs in France. I've tried all the usual Gothic suspects.

By: Thorzdad

Thorzdad — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 19:49:09 -0800

From what I've been able to determine, the old Michelin signs were hand-painted enameled steel, or "lave". Being hand-painted, there wouldn't be any sort of actual font being used. Just the general "idea" of a gothic font.

And, before you scoff, let me assure you that the old-school sign painters of yore were absolutely capable of batting out signs with such precision that you would easily think the signs were machine-made.

By: aye

aye — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 19:51:18 -0800

Also, if you look at the two adjacent N characters in the bottom-right sign, you'll see that they're somewhat different.

By: disillusioned

disillusioned — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 20:32:17 -0800

Mmm, Frutiger.

Probably not the same... But definitely used in other French highway signage.

By: thinman

thinman — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 21:12:05 -0800

I think Thorzdad is right about the old ones being hand-painted. Nevertheless, you might try identifont if you haven't already. Might not find an exact match, but could find an an acceptable approximation.

By: zadcat

zadcat — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 22:00:30 -0800

Not Frutiger. Font Bureau's Interstate and the various styles of font that pop up in the DIN continuum come close but are not exact matches. As noted, it is probably more a general style than a font properly speaking.

By: re.becca

re.becca — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 23:05:15 -0800

Caracteres is used on some road signs in France.

By: nadise

nadise — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 00:02:49 -0800

Roadgeek Fonts has a collection of approved roadsign fonts from all over the place, downloadable for personal use. Their Highway Gothic looks as close as it gets.

I knew that info would come in handy at some point.

By: strawberryviagra

strawberryviagra — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 03:44:08 -0800

There are a few characters in Avenir that match. I think if you distressed this font set you'd get pretty close.

By: holgate

holgate — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 04:47:23 -0800

Caracteres is a decent after-the-fact recreation of the older handpainted signs, which actually vary quite a bit over time and place. Frutiger is the new face.

By: Dick Paris

Dick Paris — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 09:29:28 -0800

Wow. holgate. Tasty.