Berthold Akzidenz Grotesk Super looks pretty close.

- Mike Yanega

I looked at that Mike... and yes, it’s kinda close, but the terminals on the “3” are perfectly horizontal on the saample. I suspect it’s something that someone has mangled and tortured. I was thinking that it might have been originally a condensed black of some font that has been super s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d (hence the weird weight differences). But thanks anyway!

I’m still looking, but Avant Garde Gothic Bold has a 2 and 3 that match even better than my previous pick (not the 1 however). Strangely, the ’3’ proportions changed to be more symmetrical at that weight — something I hadn’t noticed before in Avant Garde.

- Mike Yanega

Mike,

Thanks for your help - I think I’ve convinced my client that the Akzidenz is as close as we’re going to get. No accounting for bad taste huh? Thanks for being able to pick your brain though. Have a good one!