2016-2017 English versions of rare French documents pertaining to the Ondioline musical instrument. The documents reproduce the originals in type, layout and printing methods, down to the small details of translated advertisements, custom typefaces created to match handwritten text in illustrations—and in the case of the handbook—letter pressed and printed in hand-mixed brown ink.

Commissioned by Forgotten Futures. Document photography by Will Joines.

Original French Ondioline documents. L to R: brochure, manual, handbook

English reproduction of the Ondioline manual

Original French Ondioline manual

English reproduction of the Ondioline Handbook

Font selection and layout tests

Font creation based on handwritten illustrations in the Ondioline manual

Font metrics

Font character "s"

Orignal hand-drawn French illustration in the Ondioline manual

English recreation of the same illustration in the Ondioline manual using the custom typeface

Orignal hand-drawn French illustration in the Ondioline handbook

English recreation of the same illustration in the Ondioline handbook