I'd think a slightly condensed sans would be clearer, a la Univers or Franklin Gothic. I'd think serifs would be harder to read at phone-book sizes.

I read about H&FJ's Retina being suitable for this type of situation. But it's probably exclusive to some organization since I can't seem to find it on their site. Have you looked at the Freight Micro family?

You can get more information on Retina by contacting Hoefler Frere-Jones directly, they sent me a beautiful specimen for it.

There's also a press release for Retina on the HFJ website

Dalton Maag designed a custom face for the BT in the UK.

I thought there were some PDF samples there, but the site seems to have been updated.

Bell Centennial is still a great font - even works as funky display face - love those ink traps.

Piero De Macchi’s Nomina ;
Ladislas Mandel’s Galfra ;
Walter Tracy’s Adsans & other things by him ;
Felix Arnold’s Cisalpin ;
Werner Schneider’s Vialog.

I have sent you an email via your website address.

—K