Anne Sylvestre – ABCDisque record series (Chansons pour and La petite Josette)
![Chansons pour, ABCDisque #1, 1977 [More info on Discogs]](https://assets.fontsinuse.com/static/use-media-items/181/180681/full-1555x879/63bb3958/Chansons%20pour%20%231.jpeg)
Chansons pour, ABCDisque #1, 1977 [More info on Discogs]
In 1975, French singer-songwriter Anne Sylvestre (1934–2020) met illustrator Pef (Pierre Élie Ferrier, b. 1939). Together, they started a series of records with songs for children. One branch is named Chansons pour (“Songs for”), the other one is about La Petite Josette. The 7″ EPs with these fabulettes were released under the name ABCDisque, and the three LPs as ABCDisque géant. All records were published by the musician’s own label, A Sylvestre, which allowed her unlimited creative freedom.
Throughout the series, the main titles are rendered in Hypnos. This cute lowercase-only typeface was drawn by French designer, illustrator and author Jean Alessandrini (b. 1942) and first released with Hollenstein in 1969. It here is used with a twist: its rounded letterforms with the tiny circular counters were extended vertically (without distorting the details), making them even more bottom-heavy than they already were. With this customized typography and Pef’s cheerful collage illustrations, the series gained a distinctive visual identity.
Most other large text like Sylvestre’s name and the headings on the interior pages are in Caslon Black (Letraset, 1969), but sometimes also in the similar ITC Caslon No. 223 Extra Bold (c. 1969) and, in the case of La Petite Josette, in ITC Grouch (1970). At least in #1, lyrics, track names and credits are set in a bold condensed style from the Univers family (Deberny & Peignot, 1957).
Booklet from #1: “for being wise in the car …” / “for going for a walk…”
Booklet from #1: “for drawing a character…” / “for washing your hands…”
Booklet from #1: “for playing with mum…”
Booklet from #1: “for washing your ears…”
![Chansons pour, ABCDisque #4, 1977 [More info on Discogs]](https://assets.fontsinuse.com/static/use-media-items/181/180685/full-1478x1473/63bb3794/Chansons%20pur%20%234.jpeg)
Chansons pour, ABCDisque #4, 1977 [More info on Discogs]
![Chansons pour, ABCDisque #5, 1978 [More info on Discogs]](https://assets.fontsinuse.com/static/use-media-items/181/180674/full-1568x1570/63bb376b/Chansons%20pour%205.jpeg)
Chansons pour, ABCDisque #5, 1978 [More info on Discogs]
Booklet from ABCDisque #5
![Chanson pour LP, ABCDisque géant 1, 1977 [More info on Discogs]](https://assets.fontsinuse.com/static/use-media-items/181/180695/full-857x857/63bb37d2/114103.jpeg)
Chanson pour LP, ABCDisque géant 1, 1977 [More info on Discogs]
![La petite Josette et le carnaval, ABCDisque #3, 1977 [More info on Discogs]](https://assets.fontsinuse.com/static/use-media-items/181/180689/full-800x792/63bb37c4/s-l1600.jpeg)
La petite Josette et le carnaval, ABCDisque #3, 1977 [More info on Discogs]
![La petite Josette et ses parents, ABCDisque #6, 1979 [More info on Discogs]](https://assets.fontsinuse.com/static/use-media-items/181/180688/full-599x592/63bb37b6/ODYtNzQxOS5qcGVn.jpeg)
La petite Josette et ses parents, ABCDisque #6, 1979 [More info on Discogs]
![La petite Josette et les moustaches, ABCDisque #2, 1976(?) [More info on Discogs]](https://assets.fontsinuse.com/static/use-media-items/181/180686/full-599x583/63bb37bd/MTgtMjM4OC5qcGVn.jpeg)
La petite Josette et les moustaches, ABCDisque #2, 1976(?) [More info on Discogs]
