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?

Oriel College This façade was redesigned for Oriel College in 1911. The carved type is vastly different to the black letter style from Magdalen College on the other side of the street. There is a more modernist design. There seems to be a marriage of Copperplate Gothic style, a fully capitalised script from around this time, and a kind of art nouveau flair to the layout. Despite much googling I am still unclear as to why there are enlarged capital letters at seemingly random intervals in the text. There are many historical examples of former students patronising their former colleges and receiving inscriptions/recognition on the college buildings. This one is unusual because the choice of typeface is unique. The words still communicate the same stately themes as the other colleges, the stone material is the same. There is a sense of historical grandeur and a sort of gravity. The carved lettering conveys importance, they are institutional.

Location

Oxford OX1 4EW, UK