I’m working on a new site. My client recently purchased a bed & breakfast in Pennsylvania and hired me to re-do their website and some print work.
The inn was built in 1909. All of the signage uses the name of the place in a certain font. The logo could probably use some updating, but my client can’t afford to change everything right now so I need to work with what’s there. There is no electronic version of the logo, and no way to get one. It looks like the prior owners copied the original logo by hand for the literature and website. Gives a certain character, but I wanted to get a cleaner, less-drawn version.
So, job #1 for me is to get the logo into a digital vector format. I will need to use it in a variety of sizes, colors, etc. and the rough & grainy 170 x 118 black on white version on the current website won’t work for much.
I knew the font looked familiar, but I couldn’t quite place it. [WhattheFont](http://www.whatthefont.com) and [Identifont](http://www.identifont.com) didn’t help. So I [posted](http://www.myfonts.com/FontForums/read.php?f=5&i=48735&t=48735) on the [MyFonts.com](http://www.myfonts.com) forums. Took 30 minutes to find out the font was Bookman Bold Italic Swash.
Now here’s the interesting part. This font doesn’t exist for the computer! [ITC](http://www.itc.com) digitized Bookman but the italic version is not the same (biggest difference in the lower case “a” not to mention the lack of swash alternatives).
I was sorry that I didn’t save my old *Letraset Type Specimen Book* from college because I know that’s where the above image came from. I can’t list the number of typography websites I searched through…too many.
It was beginning to look like I would have no choice but to trace out the logo in Illustrator. I trace logos for projects all the time, but fonts are challenging. Unless it’s handwriting or some other hand-drawn effect typeface, you have to measure everything carefully or it just looks “off.” But alas, this morning a gift arrived in my inbox. Some kind soul read my request on the MyFonts site and took the time to make it a font! I’m not going to name names, but you know who you are and if you’re reading this, **thank you, again!** Still have to tweak it a bit, but definitely a huge step in the right direction.
So now I have to figure out how to handle the licensing. This logo was designed in 1909 and it served them well, so I don’t have a problem with using the font specifically for this purpose. But it would be nice to own a license so I could use it (sparingly, very sparingly) in other ways for this project.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
That is amazing, it’s still wonderful to know that there are still amazingly kind people in this world who are willing to help. And whomever you are, do good things and good things happen – don’t stop doing good
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This sounds like an interesting project, I know it will come out smashing Judi
(My first comment here.)
I seem to spend a huge amount of time searching for fonts. I’m getting pretty good at it now. My worst fear is getting a fax with an unnamed font saying, “Do you have this?” Argh. I often find myself browsing through old type catalogues just to get a name of a similar font – then I can search for fonts like the mystery one.
IS THERE ANY WAY TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE ABOVE “BOOKMAN BOLD ITALIC SWASH”, PLEASE??? N.S.KENT
I ran into the same issue. Have a client who used the font on their letterhead and logo some 30 years ago, and continue to use it. Now they want a website too. Wish I had a copy too!
HELLO, DEAR MOM AT HOME, MAY I ASK THE SAME QUESTION AGAIN?? COULD I OBTAIN A COPY OF THE “BOOKMAN BOLD ITALIC SWASH”, PLEASE??? N.S.K.
Norman, check your email. I replied directly to you last time you asked and I’ll reply again.
DEAR JUDI, MANY THANKS FOR YOUR POSTED REPLY, BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED YOUR E-MAILS. I DO CAREFULLY CHECK MY E-MAILS EVERY DAY, & UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY FROM YOU??? PERHAPS YOU COULD ENSURE THAT I GET THE MESSAGE BY POSTING A REPLY ON YOUR WEB SITE??
VERY KIND REGARDS, NORMAN.
Norman, this is what I wrote:
While out of desperation and needing the font to recreate a logo I accepted a font someone sent me, I don’t think I feel comfortable turning around and sending it on to someone else since I’m not sure the licensing implications. I only used it for this one project to recreate a logo that has existed for over 100 years. Likely still murky, but I’ll take my chances. Besides, it’s a Mac-only font. Are you on a Mac or PC?
I have forwarded your email to the person who originally gave me the font. If they choose, they can send it to you. That’s the best I can offer.
DEAR JUDI, SINCERELY, MANY THANKS, & I APPRECIATE YOUR FEELINGS. ALSO APPRECIATE YOUR SENDING OFF MY DETAILS. N.S.K.
I just want to thank you for singing your praises about myfonts.com
So many good people help thousands identify fonts there. Sometimes a history of the font is offered and you get more than you bargained for.
Most identifiers – if they can’t find an exact match, do try to offer something similar that may (or may not) work.
If anyone wants to see a whole alphabet – there is one posted on Typophile at: http://www.typophile.com/forums/messages/83/24826.html
and last I heard Castcraft is still selling Bookman with Swash (and NOT ITC) you can ask them at: (1-888-893-6687) they made fonts under the name of OPTIFONT.
Again, thank you.
ITC is working on a new OpenType font digitization but it may be a while before it’s released.
Jukebox’s Cabernet has some similar swashes.
Judy,
I’ve spent over three weeks looking for the exact same typeface. I can’t believe there are other people out there looking for it. I’d love to get in touch with the person who made it for you–even though this was awhile ago.
BTW, your site is very interesting!
Thanks,
–RN
Hey, it looks like font.com has it now…[check this out](http://www.fonts.com/findfonts/mondosearchresults.htm?st=12&kid=itc%20bookman)
Because it appears to now be available commercially, I will definitely not email it to anyone. If I still needed to work in this font for this client, I’d be buying it. Thanks for understanding.
Hi Judi. I was having the usual trouble trying to find a font for the new Comfort Inn logo. My Google search brought up this page. Boy, I can’t thank you enough. I went right to ‘Whatthefont’ and found the 2 I needed. I had one but couldn’t find it cuz….. ‘m an old fart and kinda feeble. Plus MyFonts wasn’t working right. It’s going real slow on uninstalled fonts and with 1500 fonts at 1 a second that just didn’t cut it. I only have this problem on my new HP laptop.
Boy, I sure do pradle on, Sorry. I digitze a lot of fonts for logos but the jpg has to be big enough to have a clear image. I trace it in CorelDraw by hand. I like doing it cuz I know how. Spent my life painting signs.
Thank you for your time to create this site, Fred_
Oh, if somebody has a logo and needs some help with it I’m sure I can find the time, so my e-mail is open for use.
Hi Judi.
I tried the link to fonts.com
http://www.fonts.com/findfonts/mondosearchresults.htm?st=12&kid=itc%20bookman
I went and bought Bookman Swash but to my dismay it’s not a complete set of characters!!! I can’t believe it. Even though they have different weights, some characters are not there! http://www.fonts.com/Assets/images/trans1×1.gif
Please help me find Bookman Swash. Do you still have the contact information of the person who helped you? You can send him my info if you like.
Thank you.
George