Element

All major German type foundries started to offer blackletter type families in the “simplified textura” style throughout the 1930s. We will now look at each of them to provide a comprehensive overview.

One of the earliest and most intriguing designs in the category was Element by Max Bittrof, released by the Bauer Type Foundry. While later designs in this blackletter category adhered more closely to traditional blackletter or roman letter skeletons, Element embraced a playful, experimental approach. Just look at the Q—its downward stroke is reduced to a single square form.

The following ad for Element by the foundry was published in 1934. It describes the design as a continuation of the New Typography movement and puts it next to and on par with their successful Futura design.

Element was offered in three weights and one condensed style. Despite the goal of creating simpler blackletter shapes, a set of decorated caps was added as well.

Source of the two images above: Letterform Archive

The decorated caps, photographed at Pavillon-Presse Weimar