Monday, April 6, 2009

Dennison's Gummed Labels No. 27


What is the end
to insects
that suck gummed
labels?

William Carlos Williams, from XII (later titled "Composition"), Spring and All (1923)
The glue on the above labels is untouched by insects, untouched by human tongues. These labels are from a box of forty-five Dennison's Gummed Labels No. 27. I like the clear design, the white bands (shades of Pall Mall Famous Cigarettes), and the lower-case th. I wish I knew the typeface. I found these labels some years ago in a now-defunct stationery store.

[This post is the fourth in an occasional series, "From the Museum of Supplies." The museum is imaginary. The supplies are real. Supplies is my word, and has become my family's word, for all manner of stationery items.]

Also from the Museum of Supplies
Mongol No. 2 3/8
Real Thin Leads
Rite-Rite Long Leads

comments: 4

Crritic! said...

The type looks familiar. It is a lot like the early modern face that was designed for the London Underground. I think it was called 'Johnston'. Only thing is, here the sides of the M are slanted, which is a little different. I will put my brains trust on the job.

Michael Leddy said...

Yes, it does look like Johnston. I thought of Gill Sans, though there too the h, M, and t are different.

Anonymous said...

the closest match i can find is Kabel Book, but it's not. It also has a 'Metro' feel [the lovely typeface by Dwiggins]. But it's not...

Hope someone finds it...

Michael Leddy said...

I came up with Kabel and Geometric 231, also by Rudolph Koch. So we're very much in the same ballpark, or foundry.

(Anon., are you Sean's cousin? Cousin or no, thanks for your interest in this typeface.)