Era-appropriate font

[mvonhobe]

Have been having some work done on my '39 1-½ ton flatbed and it's time to pick it up from the shop. One of the next steps is to repaint it. Going to use it, very occasionally, in the business, delivering materials to the job site. I think it would be somewhat sacrilegious to put a vinyl sign on it and I have an employee who also hand-paints signs. Over the years, we've seen old company trucks with logos and company names on the cab but I need help putting a name to a font that would be appropriate for the year.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!

 

[51 MERC-CT]

Just do a google search for 30's fonts and you should come up with something like this.

http://www.fontspace.com/category/1930s
http://www.fontscape.com/explore?7EH

 

[Tinker]

Another helpful google (image) search would be 1930s signs or ads.

Found this too....

 

[19Fordy]

Please don't do Gothic capital letters.

 

[SUHRsc]

What is the name of your business? and what all do you want to have painted on the truck?

 

[Hoop]

Interesting subject and difficult to find specific information on fonts.

I found this guy online who has a third-generation background and may be able to answer your question. His contact information is there.

http://dustysigns.com/

http://typedeck.com/traditional-sign-painting/

 

[Tinker]

Great links Hoop. And a good read.

When I think 30s type, I think of mostly block lettering, some serifs but not overly fancy. Art Deco.

 

[mvonhobe]

SUHRsc

Alpine Fencing
Cañon City, COLORADO
phone number

We have a registered logo and I suspect we'll want to have a version of that as well.....

 

[Old Henry]

Here are a few more 1939 truck signs:

 

[CHuDWah]

My Dad was a trucker for 40+ years starting in the early-30s. He had a number of trucks over the years and his signs were always similar to post #3 above. Block letters with maybe a little secondary info (city name, etc) in script for a little pizzaz. Keep in mind the signage was meant to be functional for ID and advertising purposes - and painters often charged less for the simpler fonts.