Ernest Schaefer's Narrow #57, but which Narrow?

Question

Dear wise Fontidentifiers,

 

A dear friend of mine gifted me a zinc service of service type (Haas type or zinc-aluminum type for folks familar with Schmedt) over Christmas. His estimated guess is that this font is from an American company called Enest Schaefer Inc. (1922).

 

I looked through their catalogue* and it matches a font called 'Narrow #57', however I assume that is not the real name? This part of the catalogue mentions this font was used by 'old watch craftsmen'. I have e-mailed the company but haven't heard back (yet).

 

I have run the font through the Identifont 'quiz' and GT America Compressed (http://www.identifont.com/show?4E14) rolled out as an possible result. However, I am not convinced the Q's are the same (if you look at the tail) and I also think it is older than 2016.

 

I would be very grateful if anyone has a clue of what this compressed san serif font is called? Thank you!

 

*I know the catalogue says brass type but my guess is that at one point in time they always produced it as an service type.

Answer 1

Your type doesn't match the Narrow #57 sample, which is much more square and the ‘G’ has no beard. GT America is a fairly new typeface, so that wouldn’t make sense. What makes more sense is an older metal face, like News Gothic Extra Condensed. It would be nice to see some lowercase to be sure. Do you have any?

Comments

Dear Stewf,

 

Thank you for helping me out with that very sharp eye of yours. Sadly, I have no lowercase. However, I think you are right on the mark with 'news gothic extra condensed'. I spoke to my friend again and he got this type from a cabinet he bought secondhand. After looking for some other US companies who make service type I came across Durable Technologies, who have in their catalogue David (or News Gothic Condensed).