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 is the typography on the side of the London Hotel in Southampton. The lettering looks to be made from metal with the gold colouring on a yellow tile. The top of the lettering ‘hotel’ seems to be straight and the bottom word ‘Entrance’ seems to be more curved. This could suggest that this made the entrance / opening into the building more clear. The difference in kerning across the words makes me feel this was hand created. There also decorative swirls and cross over into different letters that could’ve been a decorative effect at the time. There has always been a hotel at this site since 1846 but only the London Hotel since 1907. It is also interesting to note that a Titanic survivor was the son of the original landlord.

Location

Oxford St, Southampton SO14 3DJ, UK