ROYAL TYPOGRAPHERS, INC. — OVERSIZE TYPE SPECIMEN BOOK (NYC, 66 PAGES)

Item #1604

A swaggering, mid-century New York typography specimen—part working catalog, part graphic design object—issued by Royal Typographers, Inc. from 115 West 45th Street, New York City (phone exchange BRyant 9-5716). Built for ad men, printers, and layout artists, this oversized spiral-bound book shows off a wide range of typefaces in crisp, high-contrast print, with abundant demonstrations of display sizes (48 pt, 60 pt, 72 pt, 84 pt, etc.) and practical copy settings.

The selections lean into the era’s essential voices—bold Gothics (including Alternate Gothic and Bernhard Gothic Heavy), stalwarts like Stymie, and other period favorites—presented alongside pages of rules, borders, stars, dividers, scrollwork, and ornaments: the visual grammar of menus, window cards, coupons, catalogs, and agency comps before the digital turn. The opening statement notes the catalog is not static—new faces added as advertising progresses—making this an especially vivid snapshot of mid-century commercial design culture.

Designed by J. P. Gourley.

This oversized spiral-bound volume has blue cloth boards with contrasting tan spine panel and small shield device on front cover. It is unpaginated with 66 pages, and measures 12.75" x 17.5". It has general wear consistent with use: rubbing/toning to covers, edge/corner wear, and handling wear around the spiral/binding. Pages remain bright overall with occasional edge wear.

A terrific artifact for collectors of typography, graphic design, New York printing history, and anyone who likes their reference books loud, practical, and beautiful.

Price: $175.00