“Grecians are essentially egyptians with corners and extremities that have been chamfered.” [Shaw] One of the popular wood type genres of the 19th century. Made by many foundries and wood type makers in various widths. Lowercase was added by some foundries in later years [Solotype].

“The first wood type designed in this manner – including chamfered serifs – is an 18-line Pica Antique Condensed, Cornered shown in George Nesbitt’s 1838 specimen book (American Wood Type 1828–1900, p.96). This design – not considered a grecian since it has curves – was copied from French typefounders and precedes the first grecians from English typefounders which are dated to the early 1840s. The first grecian shown by an American founder was from L. Johnson & Company in 1841; and the first by a wood type manufacturer was from Wells & Webb in 1846 – both were extra condensed. The latter were the first to make a condensed variation in 1849. Ten years later William H. Page became the first to make a full face [see Full Faced Grecian].”

Digital revivals by Castcraft (as OPTI Grecian Bold, 1990–91, no lowercase), Brendel (as Rhodos, 1994, largely identical to the former), Dan X. Solo (used for the sample), Jordan Davies (Bold and XX Condensed, Wooden Type Fonts, 2005), Alan Jay Prescott (as Griego, 2013, five styles), HFF (as Greek ExCon, 2011, based on Grecian Extra Condensed as shown in a Solotype catalog), and others. Dick Pape’s American Wood Type series includes five Grecians (2013, no lowercase, based on various sources).