In the late 1800s, John F. Cumming cut
several display
typefaces in the same genre: square, condensed, with descending
swashes and ornamental terminals. Rubens appears to be
the earliest of these designs, cut during his time at Boston
sometime between 1881 and 1884. Based on a design on a railroad
time-card. [Inland
Printer, 1898] The patent was issued to foundry
representative John K. Rogers in spring 1884. Several sizes
were cut by Gustave F. Schroeder. [Inland
Printer, 1898]
Also sold by Pavyers & Bullens, Shah Kikhabhoi (as Antiqua
Condensed), FTF (as Moscovites)
[Reichardt 2011] and Gans (as Latina
Moderna).
Harrild & Sons had
a wood type version incl. an
Expanded style.
Photo-Lettering had an adaptation in three widths. [PLINC 1965]. It eventually spanned three
weights, three widths, two open styles and a Rubens
Antique with rough contours. Their Rubens 10 is
actually based on the heavier Othello (Central Type
Foundry, c.1884–92). [PLINC More…
In the late 1800s, John F. Cumming cut several display typefaces in the same genre: square, condensed, with descending swashes and ornamental terminals. Rubens appears to be the earliest of these designs, cut during his time at Boston sometime between 1881 and 1884. Based on a design on a railroad time-card. [Inland Printer, 1898] The patent was issued to foundry representative John K. Rogers in spring 1884. Several sizes were cut by Gustave F. Schroeder. [Inland Printer, 1898]
Also sold by Pavyers & Bullens, Shah Kikhabhoi (as Antiqua Condensed), FTF (as Moscovites) [Reichardt 2011] and Gans (as Latina Moderna).
Harrild & Sons had a wood type version incl. an Expanded style.
Photo-Lettering had an adaptation in three widths. [PLINC 1965]. It eventually spanned three weights, three widths, two open styles and a Rubens Antique with rough contours. Their Rubens 10 is actually based on the heavier Othello (Central Type Foundry, c.1884–92). [PLINC One Liner 1971]
There are many digital revivals, but none are very refined or complete, missing various alternate glyphs. Ravenscroft (used for our sample), Mansion, and Atencio are the most comprehensive.
