Yes, too bad indeed. The description of Mobley connects it to the VGC Neil Bold, but it seems that the key words are that Neil Bold was the 'inspirational source' of a 'brand new typographic whole'. In other words, while there may be many similarities, there are also numerous differences.

If you'd like I can post a scan of the typeface from the book.

Here is a sample made with the OptiFonts version. The file information is a bit confusing, but says 'copyright 1990-91 Castcraft Sofware OPNatty', possibly suggesting that 'Natty' was their actual release name for the font, since they usually renamed typefaces.

Alejandro Paul's Mobley has similar characteristics.



Too bad about the 'A's.

Just did it. Well, photographed (sorry for the bulging but my
scanner isn't connected at the mo). The Homage looseleaf is
the best money I've spent on ebay in a while.

Hi,

Where can i find a copy of neil bold? i couldnt find it on the castcraft site.

I went to your site and saw the PDF. Seems like a very nice job. Are you also making the font available? (I had trouble navigating your site I am afraid.)

- Mike Yanega

That's OK. I don't need the font. I was just wondering if you were going to sell/distribute it. As long as your digitization is original, I don't think you have to worry about Castcraft, since I'd bet they don't own the design either. You might need to use a new name, since typeface names can be copyrighted.

Since I'm not a font legal expert, you might be wise to get other opinions on this, but it would be a shame to let a good revival go to waste.

- Mike Yanega

Jas - Neil Bold was a VGC original by one Wayne J. Stettler, 1967. VGC ceased to exist long ago.

Opti never created fonts - they just made their own "versions" (clones) and sold them under different names. I understand from friends who were in the business back then that this was common. Companies would clone popular fonts and sell them formatted for a particular proprietary photolettering machine system.

As such, Opti had no "rights" to any VGC fonts. I really doubt that anyone does any more. As evidence of this, you can find plenty of one-time VGC originals digitally reproduced by various entities today.

Just a few examples among many: Amelia (Bitstream [BT], Linotype [LT]), Aquarius (Red Rooster), several of Arthur Baker's faces, Bloc (BT as Geometric 885), China (Mark Simonson as Changeling), Davida (various), Eightball (Canada Type as Orotund), and so on. Oh, and let's not leave out Serpentine, which has been digitized by just about everyone.

So, I would agree wholeheartedly with Mike Y. that " ... it would be a shame to let a good revival go to waste." I see no reason for you not to release what you've faithfully recreated. Note that in some of my examples above, the name was changed from the original. That might be a good precaution, but you've already got that in place with the perfect name of Armstrong.

You've got some wonderful fonts and photograph galleries. I really enjoyed the viewing - especially the pics from Japan.

Myfonts has put Neil Bold from Canada Type in their portfolio today.