Typeface Review: "Copperplate"

What It Looks Like:

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It's History: Designed by Frederic W. Goudy in 1901 and published by Apple Computer Inc. "Goudy is probably the best known of American typographers and exemplifies the Golden Age of American Printing. He is famous for his prodigious output; he designed over one-hundred typefaces, yet did not start design in earnest until he was 45.

"Born in Bloomington, Illinois, he studied at the Chicago School of Lettering. He best and most popular types are Goudy Old Style and Goudy Text. He was also well-known as a spokesperson for the trade and spent a great deal of time speaking in clubs, associations etc. He was not a 'modern'; he loved the 15th century and found much of his inspiration there.

" 'It is hardly possible to create a good typeface that will differ radically from the established forms of the past; nevertheless, it is still possible to secure new expressions of life and vigour.' " (Source #1)

"Originally designed in 1901, Copperplate Gothic was first released as a font family containing several weights and condensed variations. The font name reflects the popularity of this particular style of typeface during the time that copperplate engraving was a popular technique for reproducing illustrated material; from about 1530 up to the 19th century. Although a true lowercase has never been designed, Copperplate Gothic is ideal for all-capital text typically set in small print. For example, it's very popular for use on business cards. Tiny serifs lend Copperplate Gothic a distinctive feel. The design captures both the sturdiness of a sans serif, as well as the elegance of typefaces with serifs." (Source #2)

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What Type of Font It Is: Glyphic; "Glyphics are primarily a titling form and many have no lowercase. Some of the Germanic Glyphics can be effectively used for limited amounts of text setting, providing a tonal depth similar to that of the heavier Humanist revival faces. Their weight can create more dramatic color in a text page but their application in this context is very specialized." (Source #3)

"Misleadingly titled, this is a Gothic with a Glyphic accent in its very subtle flare serifs. It has no lowercase, and is available in a range of numbered weights and widths." (Source #4)

How You Can Design With It: "You may have been scrolling down your list of fonts on Microsoft Word or PowerPoint one day and thought, 'Hey, that's a cool, subtly seriffed font. It's nice and wide. It looks classy, and yet I don't think I'd want to pick a fight with that font. I'm going to use that font for my poster/presentation.' " (Source #5)

Where You Can Get It: You can download the font for free at FontZone and Fonts101. There are also fonts very similar to Copperplate, available to buy at FontSpring.

Descriptive Terms for It: All-caps, business cards, Capital Only, classy, Frederic Goudy, Glyphic, legible, and logos.

Sources:
- #1 - http://www.identifont.com/show?13B
- #2 - http://www.microsoft.com/typography/fonts/family.aspx?FID=40
- #3 - The Complete Typographer: A Manual for Designing with Type" by Will Hill, 2nd Edition, p. 142
- #4 - The Complete Typographer: A Manual for Designing with Type" by Will Hill, 2nd Edition, p. 148
- #5 - http://lifeatluther.blogspot.com/2008/02/copperplate-font-must-be-stopped.html

Examples:

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