Released as Erbar-Grotesk by Ludwig & Mayer in 1926,
Jakob Erbar’s design is one of the first geometric sans serifs,
released before Futura
(though there is some debate about which design was conceptualized
first).
A total of 11 styles were added to the family from 1926–30,
including 2 weights with smaller
x-height/longer ascenders known as Erbar-Grotesk II,
and 2 condensed weights. Partly adopted for Linotype/Typograph.
There are many alternates — monocular ‘a’, stemless ‘u’, ‘A M N V
W’ with pointed apexes (splayed ‘M’), ‘Y’ without exit stroke —
that were likely motivated by the success of Futura,
and are later shown as defaults. Early proofs (VdS-Kartei)
additionally show a set of low-waisted caps and several glyphs
where the middle or top bar crosses the stem (‘B E F H K P R’).
Phosphor (AKA Lichte fette
Grotesk), More…
Released as Erbar-Grotesk by Ludwig & Mayer in 1926, Jakob Erbar’s design is one of the first geometric sans serifs, released before Futura (though there is some debate about which design was conceptualized first).
A total of 11 styles were added to the family from 1926–30, including 2 weights with smaller x-height/longer ascenders known as Erbar-Grotesk II, and 2 condensed weights. Partly adopted for Linotype/Typograph. There are many alternates — monocular ‘a’, stemless ‘u’, ‘A M N V W’ with pointed apexes (splayed ‘M’), ‘Y’ without exit stroke — that were likely motivated by the success of Futura, and are later shown as defaults. Early proofs (VdS-Kartei) additionally show a set of low-waisted caps and several glyphs where the middle or top bar crosses the stem (‘B E F H K P R’).
Phosphor (AKA Lichte fette Grotesk), Lucina, Lumina and Lux are related display companions by the same designer.
Berthold Fototypes carried 4 weights. Headliners had 2 series, neo-Erbar Sans and neo-Mini Erbar Sans, latter with a larger x-height, both in 5 weights plus Outline and Outline Shadow styles.
Digital versions by Linotype (Condensed only, no alternates) and URW (7 styles, with alts) as Erbar. URW additionally has Erbar Neo Mini, a single bold style likely based on the Headliners version. Dunbar (CJ Type) is a contemporary reinterpretation in 3 subfamilies. See also Journal Sans / Journal Sans New and GT Eesti.
