Universal Grotesk is the Czechoslovak version of an
early geometric sans serif that originated at Wagner & Schmidt and
was cast by various foundries under different names in slightly
different versions, see Kristall-Grotesk.
In Buchdruckschriften des 20. Jahrhunderts,
Bertheau dates the design to “around 1920”, and mentions it was
released as Universal by the state printing house in
Prague [Státny tiskárna] as early as 1922. This date is also given
in Jaspert, without citation. A 1930s date for Universal
Grotesk seems more plausible, and is backed up by mentions
in trade annuals in
1934 and
1935. Continued after WWII by Grafotechna. Shown in a 1950s
specimen in 6 styles (3 weights,
2 with italics, plus a bold
condensed). A 1960 specimen additionally shows the all-caps open
style (see
Kristall-Grotesk More…
Universal Grotesk is the Czechoslovak version of an early geometric sans serif that originated at Wagner & Schmidt and was cast by various foundries under different names in slightly different versions, see Kristall-Grotesk.
In Buchdruckschriften des 20. Jahrhunderts, Bertheau dates the design to “around 1920”, and mentions it was released as Universal by the state printing house in Prague [Státny tiskárna] as early as 1922. This date is also given in Jaspert, without citation. A 1930s date for Universal Grotesk seems more plausible, and is backed up by mentions in trade annuals in 1934 and 1935. Continued after WWII by Grafotechna. Shown in a 1950s specimen in 6 styles (3 weights, 2 with italics, plus a bold condensed). A 1960 specimen additionally shows the all-caps open style (see Kristall-Grotesk lichtfett) with flat apexes in ‘AMN’ etc.
Uni Grotesk (Typotheque, 2016) is a digital adaptation.
