I've got the Solotype "100 Victorian Display Alphabets" book, but Victorian Stencil is not there. It does have plenty of similar Tuscan-style alphabets, and so might be worth picking up for inspiration.

Do you know if the Maverick font was based on a more complete specimen? I understand you want to avoid copying it too closely, but perhaps it could still be useful as a reference.

Justin,

Thanks for checking through the book for me. I will definately buy that book. Too bad Amazon doesn't have any in stock, because I've got Amazon Prime now and I would've received the book in two days.

I think I'll get in touch with Jeff Levine, and see if he can help me. I guess I'll use Maverick as a reference, maybe print out the characters and not get them anywhere near TypeTool.

There is also a Stencil Alphabets book by Dan Solo. I've just ordered a copy, as it seems to be one of the few of his Dover books I don't already have. Anyone able to check and see if 'Victorian Stencil' is included?

Mike,

Thanks for the link. I ordered a copy as well. I'll be getting it on Tuesday. It won't matter too much if it doesn't have Victorian Stencil since I love stencils.

Thanks again!

Mike,

I received my copy of the book today, and it has Victorian Stencil in there with a full character set! Thanks so much for the tip!

P.S. Check out Billboard and Grocers Stencil when you get the book, those are pretty sweet too.

I'm still waiting for my copy, but I'm glad to know the gamble paid off and the book had some good stencil designs for you. I'll check out those others you mentioned when my copy arrives.

Thanks for following up.

Mike,

When I get my font based on Victorian Stencil done I'll send you a copy for your archive.

Thanks again!

Lauri,

That's very generous. Thank you!

It will have a spot in Part 5 of the Script Font ID Guide (Designed Scripts). I know my definition of 'script' is broader than conventional, but I have included Art Nouveau, Victorian and Western/Circus fonts in Part 5, since they appear to be hand-drawn, as opposed to straight edge & compass drawn.

For what it's worth, Harold Lohner offers a very similar Victorian stencil font called "Sideshow" at:
http://members.aol.com/fontner/sideshow.html
He says that it was scanned from an old, stencil-printed Ouija board.
Hope this helps!
Murray

Murray,

Thanks for the link! That's a very interesting typeface... almost makes me want to look around on eBay for old Ouija boards for the lettering.

Tiff,

I guess it depends on the type designer, because you could probably do some really wicked stuff with OpenType substitutions. "I am hungry" could turn into "I want to kill". But I'll ask the spirits for a second opinion.

I wonder if using a typeface that originated on a ouija board could be a bad thing. =^P

ahaha. Great idea, Lauri!