Collection: Rackleberry

Rackleberry was inspired by the handdrawn lettering on the distinctive yellow spines of World Distributors’ 1960s British comic annuals. Though the lettering differs markedly from spine to spine it appears to be drawn from the same model. Titanic (also known as Hercules) from Leipzig foundry Wagner & Schmidt (c1920) is a close match; there are also similarities with Bernard Kursiv, designed by Lucien Bernard for Bauer in 1927. Similar styles were also shown in mid-century handlettering manuals. Rackleberry does not slavishly follow any of these sources but charts its own space: a heavy, wider upright script with ball serifs, loops and cursive details. Tall lowercase swash alternatives reference Titanic’s, the E, F, L, T and Z are curved, and the g has a disconnected ear to match the i. There is an alternative Q. Bold, joyous, yet elegant and refined.