Paolo De Barbieri labels
“Paolo De Barbieri – Genova / Fece nell’anno 1930”
These labels were used by violin maker Paolo De Barbieri (1889–1964) of Genova over the course of several decades, and probably throughout his whole career. The label design uses Radium, a typeface issued by Ludwig & Mayer around 1905. Local foundry Fausto Gallico offered it under the name Serie Egeria. The date of manufacture as well as the signature was added by hand. This post shows three labels from the violins sold through Tarisio Auctions, made in 1916, 1930, and 1959.
Additionally, I included my digital replica of the label using Radium FG, a digital interpretation of Radium.
“Copia Guarneri del Gesù / Paolo De Barbieri – Genova / Fece nell’anno 1916”
“Paolo De Barbieri – Genova / Fece nell’anno 1959”
Here is my digital replica of the label, created using Radium FG. This interpretation is interesting and exhibits significant differences from the original.
4 Comments on “Paolo De Barbieri labels”
Here’s a trace of a large size “Radium” in the 1930 specimen
Apart from the missing ink spread, what gives away for me the fact that it’s a digital replica is the too tight letterspacing, especially in “FECE” and “GENOVA” – more so than the differences between Radium and Radium FG.
Yes I agree, that’s perhaps because I stretched the original photo a bit to suit the thinner Radium FG when making the replica, and thus also affected the letterspacing.
René, thanks for sharing your finds on Fonts In Use! May I ask what your goal is in creating these replica labels?