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Vernacular Typography

Letterforms in the Urban Environment

  • EPHEMERA,  PHOTOS,  SIGNS

    ICE

    September 2, 2013

    Ice boxes are a streetside staple of New York bodegas. The typography and architecture vary slightly from model to model, but the basic formula is the same: snow-capped red shadow type on a battered white cooler, somewhat obscured by hastily rendered tags and stickers. A few seen recently in Brooklyn and Manhattan:

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    GRAPHIQUE DE LA RUE

    August 31, 2015

    PERFECTION IS STANDARD, MISTAKES COST EXTRA

    November 14, 2013

    BROOKLYN HISTORICAL SOCIETY

    October 17, 2013
  • Molly Woodward Vernacular Typography Newark New Jersey Newark Theater Marquee
    PHOTOS,  SIGNS

    RETURN TO NEWARK

    August 30, 2013

    Despite efforts to revitalize Newark, many of the businesses and storefronts in the downtown area remain shuttered and crumbling. Signs advertise businesses that are long gone and the ghost signs that pepper brick walls are fading away, being erased by weather and construction cranes. The signs and buildings that remain (like the beautiful Newark Theater Marquee, United States Savings Bank Building, and the Griffith Piano Company Building) are boarded up, advertised over, or covered by For Rent signs. Here are a few favorites (including a surviving Solari flip board in Newark’s Penn Station) from a recent trip to Newark, taken mostly on and around Broad, Market, and Halsey Streets: More…

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    Molly Woodward Vernacular Typography New Orleans Royal Pharmacy Storefront Sign

    NEW ORLEANS PREVIEW

    May 30, 2014
    Woodward Vernacular Typography Steelmaster Filing Cabinet

    RANDOM BOOK COVERS

    July 31, 2013

    FAUX OLD TIMEY SIGNAGE

    September 12, 2014
  • Woodward Vernacular Typography Steelmaster Filing Cabinet
    BOOKS,  EPHEMERA,  PHOTOS

    RANDOM BOOK COVERS

    July 31, 2013

    Some book titles you might find on the bookshelves of a former English teacher and computer engineer in upstate New York:

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    BROOKLYN HISTORICAL SOCIETY

    October 17, 2013

    COMPOSITION BOOKS

    November 30, 2010

    GRAPHIQUE DE LA RUE

    August 31, 2015
  • Vernacular Typography Berlin UBahn Train Station Sign Lettering
    PHOTOS,  SIGNS,  TRAVEL

    BERLIN PREVIEW

    June 18, 2013

    Here are a few of my favorite shots from a recent trip to Berlin. The city has beautiful neon, fading hand painted signs, wild train station designs, Futura everywhere, Zoidbergs, some fine umlauts, and graffiti–lots and lots of graffiti. p.s. I maybe accidentally deleted the main Vernacular Typography website. It will be back up shortly with a couple thousand new images. Updates will be posted here and here—> Follow @VernacularType

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    GOODBYE CONEY ISLAND

    October 5, 2012

    Signs of Protest & Empowerment

    January 24, 2017

    Nearly Empty Streets of New York

    March 18, 2020
  • Don Mattingly Vintage Baseball Tee Shirt
    EPHEMERA,  OTHER STUFF,  TYPOGRATEE

    VINTAGE BASEBALL TEES

    May 23, 2013

    This cache of vintage tees was recently rediscovered at the bottom of a drawer upstate. In the 80s, my uncle (an incredible sports photographer and writer who has photographed for the USTA and Nike) frequented a custom shirt kiosk at the mall. These are some of the gems he made (note the fuzzy Cooper Black type and pre-photoshop hand cutting and pasting of images):

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    Vernacular Typography T-shirt detail Marionnettes du Theatre du Luxembourg

    VERNACULAR TYPOGRAPHY TEES

    February 22, 2013
    Vernacular Typography No Cameras Signage

    PARANOID IN DUMBO

    May 2, 2013

    COMPOSITION BOOKS

    November 30, 2010
  • Vernacular Typography No Cameras Signage
    EPHEMERA,  SIGNS

    PARANOID IN DUMBO

    May 2, 2013

    These 5 signs were found within a 4 block radius in Brooklyn’s DUMBO neighborhood. DUMBO is watching you.

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    Molly Woodward Vernacular Typography Florence Italy Tipografia Arno Via Guelfa

    TIPOGRAFIA ARNO

    October 1, 2013

    COMPOSITION BOOKS

    November 30, 2010
    Vernacular Typography T-shirt detail Marionnettes du Theatre du Luxembourg

    VERNACULAR TYPOGRAPHY TEES

    February 22, 2013
  • EPHEMERA,  OTHER STUFF,  TYPOGRATEE

    VERNACULAR TYPOGRAPHY IN JAPAN

    April 4, 2013

    Vernacular Typography tees, stationery (and unsanctioned totes) are now available at Abahouse in Japan. Check out their posts with more pictures here and here. Retailers interested in carrying the tees and stationery line can contact hello (at) vernaculartypography (dot) com for more information or to request a lookbook.

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    Vernacular Typography T-shirt detail Marionnettes du Theatre du Luxembourg

    VERNACULAR TYPOGRAPHY TEES

    February 22, 2013

    COMPOSITION BOOKS

    November 30, 2010
    Don Mattingly Vintage Baseball Tee Shirt

    VINTAGE BASEBALL TEES

    May 23, 2013
  • Vernacular Typography Hand Drawn Manicule Twitter @vernaculartype
    OTHER STUFF

    VERNACULAR TYPOGRAPHY x TWITTER

    March 4, 2013

    Vernacular Typography is now on Twitter (@VernacularType). It will be a daily (or daily-ish) look at found lettering and design from New York City and beyond.

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    Molly Woodward Vernacular Typography Florence Italy Tipografia Arno Via Guelfa

    TIPOGRAFIA ARNO

    October 1, 2013
    Woodward Vernacular Typography Desert Israel Neon Billboard

    ISRAEL PREVIEW

    December 7, 2012

    PERFECTION IS STANDARD, MISTAKES COST EXTRA

    November 14, 2013
  • Vernacular Typography T-shirt detail Marionnettes du Theatre du Luxembourg
    EPHEMERA,  OTHER STUFF,  TYPOGRATEE

    VERNACULAR TYPOGRAPHY TEES

    February 22, 2013

    The first line of Vernacular Typography t-shirts is now available through Homestead LTD in Japan. US ordering information and other inquiries can be sent to hello[at]vernaculartypography[dot]com. Hats, bags, and other things forthcoming.   These shirts are soft. Like really soft.

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    ICE

    September 2, 2013
    Woodward Vernacular Typography Steelmaster Filing Cabinet

    RANDOM BOOK COVERS

    July 31, 2013
    Don Mattingly Vintage Baseball Tee Shirt

    VINTAGE BASEBALL TEES

    May 23, 2013
  • Woodward Vernacular Typography Desert Israel Neon Billboard
    OTHER STUFF,  PHOTOS,  SIGNS

    ISRAEL PREVIEW

    December 7, 2012

    A preview of the new Israel section soon to be added to the main archive. Typography and lettering from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Ein Gedi, Tzfat, Golan Heights, Negev Desert, random kibbutzim, and other places. If you’re interested in supporting Vernacular Typography, consider making a donation to the project through Artspire & New York Foundation for the Arts 501(c)3 HERE. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

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    PALM BEACH & BOUNCE BOUNCE

    May 7, 2012
    Don Mattingly Vintage Baseball Tee Shirt

    VINTAGE BASEBALL TEES

    May 23, 2013

    PERFECTION IS STANDARD, MISTAKES COST EXTRA

    November 14, 2013
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vernaculartypography

Sunset Cocktail Lounge. One of my favorite signs f Sunset Cocktail Lounge. One of my favorite signs from West Palm Beach, Florida.

To learn more about the sign or buy a print, meander on over to https://vernaculartypography.bigcartel.com.

#vernaculartypography #vernacularlettering #vernacular #vernaculartype #foundtype #urbantypography #urbantype #lettering #letterforms #storefront #signage #westpalmbeach #palmbeach #sunset #cocktail #mintgreen #jazzhistory
Dublin House Tap Room, Upper West Side. #vernacul Dublin House Tap Room, Upper West Side.

#vernaculartypography #vernacularlettering #vernacular #vernaculartype #foundtype #urbantypography #urbantype #nyctypography #typography #signage #letterforms #vintagesign #neonsign #neon #storefront #disappearingnewyork #upperwestside #dublinhouse
Block Drug Store of 2nd Avenue. #vernaculartypogr Block Drug Store of 2nd Avenue.

#vernaculartypography #vernacularlettering #vernacular #vernaculartype #foundtype #urbantypography #urbantype #typography #signage #letterforms #nyctypography #storefront #disappearingnewyork #neonsign #neon #blockdrugstore #eastvillage
Conformal Personalized Shoes for Women. Hand paint Conformal Personalized Shoes for Women. Hand painted window sign.

#vernaculartypography #vernacularlettering #vernacular #vernaculartype #foundtype #urbantypography #urbantype #typography #signage #letterforms #nyctypography #alwayshandpaint #script #handpaintedsigns
Farouk A. Elsebaie, Accountant & Tax Consultant in Farouk A. Elsebaie, Accountant & Tax Consultant in Park Slope. One of my favorite hand painted signs in Brooklyn.

#vernaculartypography #vernacularlettering #vernacular #vernaculartype #foundtype #urbantypography #urbantype #typography #signage #letterforms #nyctypography #brooklyntype #handpaintedsigns #ampersand #alwayshandpaint
Errol's Auto Repairs. Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. #ve Errol's Auto Repairs. Clinton Hill, Brooklyn.

#vernaculartypography #vernacularlettering #vernacular #vernaculartype #foundtype #urbantypography #urbantype #typography #signage #letterforms #nyctypography #brooklyntype #alwayshandpaint #handpaintedsigns
Syrup of Figs ghost sign, now covered up by new co Syrup of Figs ghost sign, now covered up by new construction in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

#vernaculartypography #vernacularlettering #vernacular #vernaculartype #foundtype #urbantypography #urbantype #typography #signage #letterforms #nyctypography #brooklyntype #greenpoint #ghostsign #fadingad #syrupoffigs
Trenton China Pottery ghost sign in Philadelphia. Trenton China Pottery ghost sign in Philadelphia.

#vernaculartypography #vernacularlettering #vernacular #vernaculartype #foundtype #urbantypography #urbantype #typography #signage #letterforms #phillytype #ghostsign #fadingad #philadelphia
Ghost signs on ghost signs. Friendly Frost /Furnit Ghost signs on ghost signs. Friendly Frost /Furniture / Outlet palimpsest on the corner of 19th & 5th in South Park Slope.

#vernaculartypography #vernacularlettering #vernacular #vernaculartype #foundtype #urbantypography #urbantype #typography #signage #letterforms #nyctypography #brooklyntype #ghostsign #fadingad #parkslope
El Arte, hanging neon sign outside of a former pho El Arte, hanging neon sign outside of a former photography studio on Calle Galiano, Havana, Cuba. 2001.

#vernaculartypography #vernacularlettering #vernacular #vernaculartype #foundtype #urbantypography #urbantype #typography #signage #letterforms #storefront #cubantype #tipografiacubana #havana #lahabana #cuba #35mm #trix400 #filmphotographic #neonsign #elarte
Cafeteria El Polo. Neon sign minus the neon. Havan Cafeteria El Polo. Neon sign minus the neon. Havana, Cuba. 2001.

#vernaculartypography #vernacularlettering #vernacular #vernaculartype #foundtype #urbantypography #urbantype #typography #signage #letterforms #storefront #cubantype #tipografiacubana #havana #lahabana #cuba #35mm #trix400 #filmphotographic #neonsign
Partagás factory neon sign. Cigars had been hand- Partagás factory neon sign. Cigars had been hand-rolled in this Cuban factory since 1845. The building was recently converted into a museum. 
One of my favorites from Havana. Shot on 35mm film in 2001.

#vernaculartypography #vernacularlettering #vernacular #vernaculartype #foundtype #urbantypography #urbantype #typography #signage #letterforms #storefront #cubantype #tipografiacubana #havana #lahabana #cuba #35mm #filmphotographic #trix400 #neonsign #partagas
Shalom Chai Pizza Falafel Ice Cream on Grand Stree Shalom Chai Pizza Falafel Ice Cream on Grand Street was closed several times by the Department of Health and struggled to reopen. They were ultimately evicted in 2014.

The cleanliness always seemed questionable, but the people watching was fantastic and the hand painted sign even better.

The storefront is now home to a barbecue spot (health inspection grade pending). #vernaculartypography #vernacularlettering #vernacular #vernaculartype #foundtype #urbantypography #urbantype #typography #signage #letterforms #nyctypography #lowereastside #alwayshandpaint #shadowtype #storefront #pizzatype #כשר
Falafel Ice Cream, 2/3 of a classic trio. #vernac Falafel Ice Cream, 2/3 of a classic trio.

#vernaculartypography #vernacularlettering #vernacular #vernaculartype #foundtype #urbantypography #urbantype #typography #signage #letterforms #nyctypography #lowereastside #alwayshandpaint #shadowtype #storefront #icycaps #כשר #falafel
Kosher Ice Cream on the Lower East Side. Shalom Ch Kosher Ice Cream on the Lower East Side. Shalom Chai closed for good in 2014, one of the last kosher spots in the neighborhood.

#vernaculartypography #vernacularlettering #vernacular #vernaculartype #foundtype #urbantypography #urbantype #typography #signage #letterforms #nyctypography #lowereastside #alwayshandpaint #shadowtype #storefront #icycaps #כשר
Not Just Pizza. Home of the Small Pie. Fulton Stre Not Just Pizza. Home of the Small Pie. Fulton Street, Bed-Stuy.

#vernaculartypography #vernacularlettering #vernacular #vernaculartype #foundtype #urbantypography #urbantype #typography #signage #letterforms #nyctypography #brooklyntype #storefront #disappearingnewyork #pizza #pizzeria #nycpizza #pizzatype
Di Fara Pizza. A New York classic. #vernaculartyp Di Fara Pizza. A New York classic. 
#vernaculartypography #vernacularlettering #vernacular #vernaculartype #foundtype #urbantypography #urbantype #brooklyntype #typography #signage #letterforms #nyctypography #storefront #disappearingnewyork #pizza #pizzeria #nycpizza #pizzatype #difara
John's Pizzeria in Elmhurst, Queens. #vernaculart John's Pizzeria in Elmhurst, Queens.

#vernaculartypography #vernacularlettering #vernacular #vernaculartype #foundtype #urbantypography #urbantype #typography #signage #letterforms #nyctypography #queenstype #storefront #disappearingnewyork #pizza #pizzeria #nycpizza #pizzatype
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