Cochin (typeface)
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| Category | Serif |
|---|---|
| Classification | Transitional |
| Designer(s) | Georges Peignot, Matthew Carter |
| Foundry | G. Peignot et Fils, Linotype |
| Also known as | Sonderdruck |
Cochin is a serif typeface. It was originally produced in 1912 by Georges Peignot for the Paris foundry G. Peignot et Fils (future Deberny & Peignot) and was based on the copperplate engravings of French 17th century artist Nicolas Cochin, from which the typeface also takes its name. The font has a small x-height with long ascenders. Georges Peignot also created the design 'Nicolas-Cochin' as a looser variation in the same style.
With a very low x-height and delicate design, Cochin is described by Walter Tracy an example of a style of lettering and graphic design popular in the early twentieth century in several countries. Similar designs are Astrée and later Bernhard Modern and Koch-Antiqua, as well as several designs by Frederic Goudy such as Pabst and Goudy Modern. It had considerable success, for example becoming available on Monotype's hot metal typesetting system in the United States (Tracy describes this version as disappointing due to changes to the italic) and was also sold by American Type Founders.
In 1977 Cochin was adapted and expanded by Matthew Carter for Linotype, and this four-weight version is well-known today as a system font on macOS. Other companies issued versions of the design in the metal type era.
The original and 'Nicolas-Cochin' designs were also digitised by LTC and Linotype, and other versions are available from others including URW++, which adds an additional black weight not available from Linotype.Sol Hess designed a bold design in the same style. Badr is an Arabic font from Linotype by Osman Husseini which uses Cochin for its Latin alphabet.
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