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langustefonts – lettermaking

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Relievo

A digital revival of the ‘Relievo’ typeface designed by Herman(n) Ihlenburg and patented in 1878.

Specimen books

Photo of the Shniedewend specimen book
As shown in the Specimen Book of Shniedewend, Lee & Co. of Chicago from 1888.
A scan of the specimen book
As shown in the MacKellar, Smiths & Jordan Co Specimen Book of 1892.

Quote of the patent

“The nature of my design is clearly shown in the accompanying typographic impression, to which reference is made; and consists of a letter which may be said to be composed of two parts: first, the letter form, consisting of an outline letter shaded upon its face by a series of short horizontal lines above each other, which lines are heavier as they approach the upper portions of the letter; second, above the upper horizontal, oblique, and curved lines of the letters are unshaded spaces, giving the appearance of a receding face to each letter. These unshaded spaces are bounded on one side by the boundaries of the letter form, and on the other by short, somewhat irregularly-notched, margins, formed by lines extending into them from a monotone background, from which the letters are projected.” Patent by Herman Ihlenburg

The digital version

Basic character set of the Relievo typeface
The smaller typesize is placed onto the lowercase characters.
Sample words set in the Relievo typeface Sample words set in the Relievo typeface
Sample words from the patent
Sample words set in the Relievo typeface Sample words set in the Relievo typeface
Sample text as shown in the specimens
The letter E set in the Relievo typeface
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