Geotype Submission

The Geotype project charts the rich history of lettering and type forms that have established the identity of cities and towns around the world. Explore the map

How does this letter-form communicate its location?

This piece demonstrates three connections to place in my opinion. Firstly, elemental and environmental wear and tear of the forms from being in this location. The effects of natural erosion from rain (likely part acid given this is inner city) and frost as well as human from being touched over the 140 years since it's been in place. Secondly, typographic styling places this in a country and a time. Research is always difficult here as people did as they still do, choose typestyles from any time previous. I'd venture the raised bars on the 'P's and 'R's and that very unique low 'G' point to late 19th century. The transitional serifs also point perhaps to England before slab serifs came in to fashion. Thirdly, as most interestingly is what it says, 'Dr Pope, Surgeon'. Introducing Dr Harry Campbell Pope, he resided at Bromsgrove Villa, just at the southern end of Askew Road. Dr. Pope was a member of many medical societies as well as an active member of local charities. He was the first chairman of the Kensington Division of the British Medical Association – his area of expertise was infectious disease – especially the causes, diagnosis and treatment of diphtheria. And of course you can still find his name carved into the stone at his old house. Typography that gives us place, time, environment as well as design and human history.

Location

280 Askew Road, London, England, UK