Lettering: Gaspipe style

by Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics · 99 items
This style of lettering was most common in the 1930s–50s, but regularly used up to the 1980s. It’s typified by a simple, almost modular construction of even strokes and rounded corners on a rectangular grid (think pipes!). American signpainters called the standby style “gas-pipe”, and it was a speedy way to get clean, simple letters up on a board or wall. The shapes are easy to learn and quick to produce and space. Flat- or round-topped ‘A’, ‘M’, and ‘N’s are common. Sometimes strokes end at a jaunty angle, but usually these alphabets are fairly straightforward throughout. Learn more in the first entry below.
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The Romance of the Ranchos, 1940s
The Romance of the Ranchos, 1940s

Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics

January 20, 2020

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O.C. Mc DONALD
O.C. Mc DONALD

Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics

February 11, 2018

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Moving & Storage Co. | Bearses Way, Hyannis | Nick Sherman | Flickr
Moving & Storage Co. | Bearses Way, Hyannis | Nick Sherman | Flickr

Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics

September 19, 2017

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Gaslight (1944) film titles
Gaslight (1944) film titles

Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics

October 09, 2018

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The Philadelphia Story titles
The Philadelphia Story titles

Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics

November 06, 2017

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Altes handgemaltes Pappschild - Old hand lettered showcard… | Flickr
Altes handgemaltes Pappschild - Old hand lettered showcard… | Flickr

Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics

February 03, 2018

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Seinfeld Restaurant
Seinfeld Restaurant

Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics

December 03, 2016

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Signage on the front of Immaculate Conception School (1950). Photograph by Paul Shaw (2016).
Signage on the front of Immaculate Conception School (1950). Photograph by Paul Shaw (2016).

Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics

July 28, 2017

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German hand-lettering. Gilded letters behind glass.
German hand-lettering. Gilded letters behind glass.

Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics

November 06, 2017

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The Alcoa Alphabet
The Alcoa Alphabet

Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics

September 27, 2017

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Auto-Teile Mehringdamm (detail) I | In response to this ‘big… | Flickr
Auto-Teile Mehringdamm (detail) I | In response to this ‘big… | Flickr

Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics

March 13, 2017

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Unattributed, Typographische Mitteilungen, Berlin, June 1929
Unattributed, Typographische Mitteilungen, Berlin, June 1929

Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics

September 06, 2016

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Gaslight (1944) film titles
Gaslight (1944) film titles

Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics

October 09, 2018

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Virginia Natural Bridge Hotel brochure
Virginia Natural Bridge Hotel brochure

Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics

July 17, 2016

Other

Portugal | Nick Sherman | Flickr
Portugal | Nick Sherman | Flickr

Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics

July 25, 2016

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La Notte trailer
La Notte trailer

Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics

September 23, 2016

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Larm's Building and Garden Supplies - Oakland, Calif.
Larm's Building and Garden Supplies - Oakland, Calif.

Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics

January 14, 2018

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Old Homestead Steak House
Old Homestead Steak House

Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics

March 20, 2017

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Avalon Hotel
Avalon Hotel

Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics

November 04, 2017

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John L. Moore Building, 17th St, Oakland | Stephen Coles | Flickr
John L. Moore Building, 17th St, Oakland | Stephen Coles | Flickr

Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics

January 25, 2017

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betterletters.co/when-better-letters-met-cliff-headford/
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betterletters.co/when-better-letters-met-cliff-headford/

Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics

August 02, 2017

Link

Portugal | Nick Sherman | Flickr
Portugal | Nick Sherman | Flickr

Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics

July 25, 2016

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Gerhard Maeckert Uhrmachermeister & Juwelier Günter Schwedler
Gerhard Maeckert Uhrmachermeister & Juwelier Günter Schwedler

Stephen Coles’ Pile of Pics

June 14, 2016

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