Like Herculanum and Rusticana , Pompeijanaâ„¢ is one of Adrian Frutiger's contributions to the "Type Before Gutenberg" series. Linotype invited accomplished designers and calligraphers to create new interpretations of scripts from the centuries before Gutenberg's revolutionary invention. Pompeijana is named after Pompeii, one of the ancient Roman cities destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Excavations of the well-preserved ruins at Pompeii revealed election notices written on city walls, and the typeface Pompeijana is based on this brisk writing.
The decorative look of the alphabet is achieved by placing the emphasis on the top and foot of the letters, making heavy horizontals and diamond-shaped serifs. Frutiger added the Borders font, a set of ornaments that are true to the style of the alphabet. Pompeijana is a striking display face that speaks persuasively when combined with modern sans serif typefaces; try it on your next political poster, restaurant menu, or book cover.
