Original Sans
Commercial Type · Paul Barnes with Christian Schwartz
A revival by Paul Barnes and Christian Schwartz of the earliest sans serifs from Caslon and the Figgins Typefoundry, leaning into the crude, characterful quality of nineteenth-century display sans.
About
A revival sans drawn by Paul Barnes with Christian Schwartz, returning to the earliest specimens of the sans serif in Caslon's books and to a Figgins Typefoundry specimen from 1832. Original Sans is offered in two related cuts, Three and Four, each with italics, capturing the characterful awkwardness of the original capitals-only display sans before lower-case variants were drawn. Best for editorial and identity work that wants a sans with documentary weight and pre-modern texture.
Classification
Commercial Type root Original Sans in the earliest sans serif specimens of the Caslon foundry and the Figgins Typefoundry's 1832 capitals, embracing the slightly crude, characterful quality of nineteenth-century display sans serifs.