Close similar: Lionel Text Genuine/Steam by Font Diner
It features a single story |a| though + some more differences

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I found it using Find my Font - http://www.findmyfont.com

It's likely a metal typeface that has not been digitized. Erbar and Tempo are also similar. Unfortunately, neither of those interpretations are very good.

Well, lookee here:

From a 1946 guide to lettering. Remarkable match. The rest of the book has pretty close lettered renditions of other typefaces so it must be something that was around at the time.

Don't try that with Find my Font! :-)

hhp

That would be Vogue, an Intertype face originally made in 1930 for Vogue magazine. VF Sans has a lot things in common with it, but I don't think there is a digital version of Vogue per se.

Ahh, I knew it was something I knew once but forgot I knew it. Thanks, Mark.

Thanks Mark, you really do know your vintage type.

I'm surprised it hasn't been digitized yet. I thought about doing it myself at one time.

Sounds like a fair idea what with the current market towards weird-looking geometrics. Would it make sense to iron out some of the "errors", or would it better serve the reigning fashion to leave them as is? :)