BLACKLETTER.
Also referred to as Old English or Gothic (or Fraktur if you’re in Germany), Blackletter is based off of early manuscript lettering (think of monks in monasteries when they used to write all books by hand). You would also have seen Blackletter in early day Gutenberg bibles. If you’ve ever received a certificate or diploma of any kind, you’ve most likely seen the likes of Blackletter gracing center stage, as well.
Blackletter is a bold choice that makes a loud statement but can be hard to read as body text, so its best used for titles, headings, logos, posters or signs. In some fonts, there are elaborate swirls on serifs like
Dark Stone by Sanchit Sawaria. My personal favourite and the one used in the specimen above is Respira by Sharp Type.
Respira is a contemporary blackletter inspired by Spanish and English models from the 15th and 16th centuries, especially a particular style of Spanish blackletter often found in illuminated manuscripts of Andalusia.
If you'd like to read more about Blackletter and understand its techinical nuances. Check
this out.
