Well, thanks to Eric I was browsing the Neufville site, and to my very
pleasant surprise discovered that José Mendoza y Almeida’s Pascal face,
originally released in foundry metal towards the end of the 1950s, is
finally available digitally, in a high-quality and “official” version!

http://www.neufville.com/FontData/_Pascset.htm

For now only the display cut is available, but the text cuts are
planned, and to me at least that’s where the design really sings.
Although the metal Pascal I own only goes down to 30 point, the
smaller samples I’ve seen (not easy to find mind you) are great.
That said, the sparkle of this display cut is really captivating.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is one fine piece of work. I rarely get
this glowing about a font, so I hope discerning typographers will
take the time to look at it closely, hopefully purchase it*, and
undoubtedly use it to great effect. From what I understand Mendoza
y Almeida was personally involved in this new digital release, and
I think one can tell.

* I actually had trouble figuring out how and where to
buy it, but I’ve just asked Neufville for clarification.

In the caps the comparison with Optima is inescapable. But in the
more important lowercase it goes where Optima’s manner is simply
too prissy, its gown too delicate, its complexion too pallid.

Pascal is to Optima what Princess Stephanie is to Grace Kelly.
To me at least, much more alive and interesting.

hhp