Commissioned in c. 1913 by Frank Pick of London Underground
Railways for use in signs on the railway system, this influential
sans-serif was completed in c. 1916. The original design has one
weight only. A set of bold capitals was added, but Johnston didn’t
approve of it. [Rhatigan]
Edward Johnston “called it ‘Underground Railway Block Letter’ —
almost expressly indicating that he didn’t regard it as a complete
typeface.” —
Bull
It “was circulated as a lettering guide for sign-painters and
also made into wood and metal type for posters, signs, and other
publicity materials used throughout London's transport network.” —
Rhatigan
Better known as Underground, Johnston’s
Railway Type, and later simply Johnston, or
Johnston Sans.
P22 Johnston Underground (used for the sample) of
1997 is a faithful digital revival and extension of this legendary
sans serif, updated and expanded as P22
Underground in 2007. See also More…
Commissioned in c. 1913 by Frank Pick of London Underground Railways for use in signs on the railway system, this influential sans-serif was completed in c. 1916. The original design has one weight only. A set of bold capitals was added, but Johnston didn’t approve of it. [Rhatigan] Edward Johnston “called it ‘Underground Railway Block Letter’ — almost expressly indicating that he didn’t regard it as a complete typeface.” — Bull
It “was circulated as a lettering guide for sign-painters and also made into wood and metal type for posters, signs, and other publicity materials used throughout London's transport network.” — Rhatigan
Better known as Underground, Johnston’s Railway Type, and later simply Johnston, or Johnston Sans.
P22 Johnston Underground (used for the sample) of 1997 is a faithful digital revival and extension of this legendary sans serif, updated and expanded as P22 Underground in 2007. See also New Johnston, ITC Johnston, and Johnston100.
