Matchbook Typography poster – Cooper & Beatty, Liam McDonnell, c1979

The title of this poster is set in Headliners outline shadow version of Neo-Novel Gothic, released in 1977. Novel Gothic originated at American Type Founders and was released in 1928. The red Cooper & Beatty matchbook cover is set in Century Nova, released in 1964, it was the second-from-last Century design to be cut in metal. The four other Cooper & Beatty matchbook covers are black and white.

Notes

Matchbook Typography is a later addition to the ‘collection’ series of posters from Cooper & Beatty that had been initiated by Jim Donoahue in 1969. Matchbook covers were a popular and relatively inexpensive form of advertising and at one time or another almost every company used them. All of these matchbook covers are from the collection of Stan Tombs, a long-time C&B salesman and inveterate collector of printed ephemera. Not surprisingly, we count five matchbook covers for C&B, including the ‘Good Heads’ script lettering by Al Elliott for Headliners, the lettering division of C&B. The most intriguing cover on this poster, at least for Canadians, is the tall matchbook in the upper left for a Spanish shirt manufacturer that uses the well-known clown face (aka ‘Carny’) that was designed in 1975 by Chris Yaneff and Manfred Gotthans for Conklin Shows of Toronto. – Rod McDonald

We would like to learn the exact year this poster was produced. If you can help us please contact: info@canadiantypographyarchives.ca

  • Category
    Advertising and Promotion

    Title
    Matchbook Typography poster

    Date
    c1979

    Client
    Cooper & Beatty, Limited

    Credits
    Design: Liam McDonnell
    Matchbooks supplied by Stan Tombs

    Principal Typefaces
    Display: Neo-Novel Gothic Outline Shadow (Headliners)
    Text: Helvetica

    Description
    Four-colour poster
    Size: 30 × 20 inches

    Region
    Ontario

    Language
    English

    Number of images
    1

    Holding
    Canadian Typography Archives

  • Artifact copyright: CTA was unable to clarify rights but welcomes contact from rightsholders to resolve permissions, if required, and will remove digitized works at the rightsholder’s request (rightsholders may contact CTA at copyright@canadiantypography.ca). CTA makes digitized works available for education and research. Responsibility for any use rests with the user.

    Notes copyright: Notes accompanying artifacts are licenced under Creative Commons licensing CCbyNC which allows for non-commercial use with attribute.

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Canned Typography – Cooper & Beatty, Jim Donoahue, 1971

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