First released around 1880 by the Boston Type Foundry [ATF 1895–96]. Patented Jan. 11, 1881 by John K. Rogers [Saxe 2015]. It’s not clear if Rogers is the designer.

“Epitaph was modeled on a graceful Art Nouveau letterform that was bringing a new vitality to gravestone inscriptions at the time. The energy and life of the Vienna Secession alphabet drew the attention ofTobias Frere-Jones, who digitized the original set of titling capitals & added alternate characters for its Font Bureau release.” —Font Bureau, 1993.

Transferred from Font Bureau to Frere-Jones Type in 2020; available directly from Frere-Jones Type starting in 2025.