Skrift i Oslo
Skrift i Oslo (“Letters in Oslo”) is a book documenting signage in Oslo between 1864 and 1964. The book features 704 photographs of handmade sings and lettering, and aims to reveal Oslo’s visual dialect; from the time when letters were produced locally. Many of the old signs were further developed and extrapolated into full font families, forming the foundation of the type foundry Store Norske Skriftkompani. The book is designed by Arve Båtevik, who initiated the publication together with Petter Dybvig and Simon Gustavsson.
The book is set in the Book style of Store Norske Geita, while the title on the spine is set in Store Norske Nord Plakat.
Several other of Store Norske Skriftkompani’s typefaces are based on the letterings found in the photographs: Store Norske Samvirke, Store Norske Neon, Store Norske Jernskrift, Store Norske Mekaniske and Store Norske Bygg. They are all elaborations on letterings found in the photographs.
The material was also showcased in an exhibition at Grafill R21 in Oslo.
The book can be ordered at Baat Books.
Two men handing out flyers for the referendum on dissolution of the Union with Sweden in 1905. One with a hat that said Ja ("Yes"), the other with a hat that said Nei ("No"). 99.95% of voters voted in favour of Norwegian independence.
Top image is of the stone used for the Vigeland Park Monolith.
