Henri Matisse Calling Card, Uppercase Font

Question

Could anyone please help identify the font?

Answer 1

I’ll bet this is engraved by hand, meaning no fonts were used, as that was common at the time and there are slight differences between the letterforms (see E and S).

Comments

This idea is supported by the formal script used for the addresses below. While the image is too small to reliably compare differences between repeating glyphs, there are some details that are very difficult to accomplish with metal type: even with letters cast on a sloping body, swashes like the N in Nice would require massive overhangs (not feasible, certainly at this small size – they would break off) or ligatures/logotypes (unlikely). It’s similar for the vertical dimension, see the descender line of p in Montparnasse vs. the top extreme of P in Paris. And if the script was engraved, then it’s only logical that the sans-serif caps were done in the same technique.

Kevin’s suggestions are spot on for typographic options.

Answer 2

So the card dates from as early as 1921 or as late as 1938.

 

Matisse's name was likely set in one of the Blair series or Mitchell, designed for engraving-style invitations and cards.

 

ITC Blair is a digital revival.