Older Belgian street sign typeface (spotted in Brussels)

Lyam · May 25, 2018

Can anyone identify this font or near match?

Has two widths, though the most condensed is seen more frequently and is primarily what we're looking for.

References attached below.

Ralf Herrmann · May 28, 2018

Probably not a font in the traditional sense.

Riccardo Sartori · May 28, 2018

What Ralf said.

For comparable designs, FF Cst Berlin East comes to mind, also because of a similar pedigree.

There are other narrow mechanical typefaces, albeit not many with this kind of treatment for the leg of |R|.

And the only typeface of which I’m aware that features such an open |G| is the one used for car plates in Italy [1], [2], [3].

Lyam · May 29, 2018

Thanks both — useful information. If anything else comes to mind do let me know.

Ralf Herrmann · May 29, 2018

15 hours ago, Riccardo Sartori said:

There are other narrow mechanical typefaces, albeit not many with this kind of treatment for the leg of |R|.

An example, which was also created and used for signage (even in Belgium):

download at MyFonts

Riccardo Sartori · May 29, 2018

1 hour ago, Lyam said:

If anything else comes to mind do let me know.

This kind of lettering has inspired innumerable typefaces. In order to give meaningful suggestions, one would need to know what is the main aspect you are drawn to this particular type.

It is the street plaque usage? It is Brussels or Belgium? It is the vernacular vibe, or the mechanical one? It is a specific shape of letters (openness of |G|, leg of |R|, high-waisted |P|R|, quirky |S|), all of them or just one? A specific width and/or weight?

Here is a partial list of typefaces that may or may not be considered similar (mainly focussing on a curve-to-straight leg of |R|):