Earliest Documented Existence of Use of Sans Serif Font on Sheffield Maker's Stamps

Billman · 20th August 2012, 07:10 PM

Just looked through my images of edge tools from the UK (mainly billhooks) - the serif name stamps were still being used into the 20th century, especailly on tools made by small village makers. However most large industrial makers (e.g. Brades or Elwell) had been using non-serif stamps from the late 19th century. Cutlers, however, used much smaller stamps than edge tool makers, and the serif would a) be very small and b) easily damaged, so it would make sense to use non-serif lettering for small stamps...

20th August 2012, 07:10 PM	#1
Billman Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 129	Just looked through my images of edge tools from the UK (mainly billhooks) - the serif name stamps were still being used into the 20th century, especailly on tools made by small village makers. However most large industrial makers (e.g. Brades or Elwell) had been using non-serif stamps from the late 19th century. Cutlers, however, used much smaller stamps than edge tool makers, and the serif would a) be very small and b) easily damaged, so it would make sense to use non-serif lettering for small stamps...