A group of narrow display types produced by Stephenson Blake, each with the name “Condensed Sans Serif” or “Elongated Sans Serif” followed by a number. Condensed Sans No. 5 (1879), No. 7 (1893), and No. 8 (1913) were reissued in 1955. [Millington 2002] The all-caps No. 1 has an entry of its own. See also the foundry’s Grotesques and Wide Grotesques. Not to be confused with the Miller & Richard types with the same names.
The most commonly seen style is Condensed Sans Serif No. 7 which was available from Letraset (as Grotesque No. 7) and Mecanorma.
The sample here is made from Font Bureau’s Bureau Grot, a comprehensive digital revival of the various SB Grots and Sans Serifs.
