Edwin Starr – “Accident” / “Eavesdropper” European single covers
![French version ft. (1963), (1973), and 68 (1957), in all caps. All three faces were carried by Letraset. Shatter was apparently chosen so that the word “Accident” looks like it was involved in an accident itself. This week I learned that this quality is called autological. [More info on Discogs]](https://assets.fontsinuse.com/static/use-media-items/157/156275/full-1170x1170/62082519/Edwin%20Starr%20Accident%20single.jpeg)
French version ft. Compacta (1963), Shatter (1973), and Univers 68 (1957), in all caps. All three faces were carried by Letraset. Shatter was apparently chosen so that the word “Accident” looks like it was involved in an accident itself. This week I learned that this quality is called autological. [More info on Discogs]
“Accident” is an upbeat song by Edwin Starr (1942–2003), released in 1976 on GTO with “Eavesdropper” as B-side, to mediocre success.
When looking at the various picture sleeves produced for different European markets, the formula used for the designs becomes obvious: use one of the provided press images, and pick one or more eye-catching display faces from the catalogs of Letraset or Mecanorma. The Dutch version shown at the end is an outlier in terms of type sources, as it features two faces that (to my knowledge) were exclusively available from Face Photosetting.
![The Belgian sleeve is the only one to show a different photo (albeit from the same shoot, with broadly smiling Starr behind a tree). The typeface is (1971) by . [More info on Discogs]](https://assets.fontsinuse.com/static/use-media-items/157/156271/full-749x740/62082330/712976680.jpeg)
The Belgian sleeve is the only one to show a different photo (albeit from the same shoot, with broadly smiling Starr behind a tree). The typeface is Jackson (1971) by Mecanorma. [More info on Discogs]
![The Dutch cover is a bit dull in terms of color, but has the most interesting typefaces: the artist’s name combines two faces that originated as wood type at . They were both adopted by , with descriptive (one could also say unimaginative) names: came in three widths (this is the Extra Condensed), and was made in two widths. The title is set in . [More info on Discogs]](https://assets.fontsinuse.com/static/use-media-items/157/156274/full-700x700/62082170/edwin-starr-accident-gto.jpeg)
The Dutch cover is a bit dull in terms of color, but has the most interesting typefaces: the artist’s name combines two faces that originated as wood type at DeLittle. They were both adopted by Face Photosetting, with descriptive (one could also say unimaginative) names: Brush Sans Rimmed came in three widths (this is the Extra Condensed), and Bold Script was made in two widths. The title is set in Antique Olive Nord. [More info on Discogs]
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