Eurostile keyboard VIC on Ebay

History and Preservation Issues

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mrr19121970
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Re: Eurostile keyboard VIC on Ebay

Post by mrr19121970 »

Fontist ??
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oldcomputr
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Re: Eurostile keyboard VIC on Ebay

Post by oldcomputr »

mrr19121970 wrote:Helvetia narrow is the C64 font name
Helvetica (not Helvetia) Narrow is similar but that's not exactly the font. I have compared the keycaps with many fonts of the time and I couldn't find a perfect match. That's why in the VIC 20 book I chose to describe that keyboard as the Cost reduced keyboard.
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orion70
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Re: Eurostile keyboard VIC on Ebay

Post by orion70 »

Mangling fonts' names could become a recurrent joke :)
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srowe
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Re: Eurostile keyboard VIC on Ebay

Post by srowe »

orion70 wrote:Mangling fonts' names could become a recurrent joke :)
That could be Comac (Sans).
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eslapion
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Re: Eurostile keyboard VIC on Ebay

Post by eslapion »

mrr19121970 wrote:Helvetia narrow is the C64 font name
I just sifted through an old Adobe Type Library guide and I can assure you it's not Helvetica of any kind. First giveaway is the G which doesn't have the support serif on the right hand side.

I also checked the Futura Condensed families and that doesn't match either.

The closest match I can find is Univers Condensed Light.
Image

Does that look right ?

Added edit:
'Q' is different...
Be normal.
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oldcomputr
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Re: Eurostile keyboard VIC on Ebay

Post by oldcomputr »

eslapion wrote:The closest match I can find is Univers Condensed Light.
Added edit:
'Q' is different...
While working on the Keyboards chapter, I searched the Adobe type library and other catalogues, and I came to the same result: Univers is a better match than Helvetica Narrow, but still not the same font of the keycaps.
By the way, Univers is the font I used in the book. A wonderful sans serif font.
Bobbi
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Re: Eurostile keyboard VIC on Ebay

Post by Bobbi »

So Eurostile machine arrived and as it happens it seems to have an intact history, for the historians out there!

Serial P1066742 Made in USA
MB #0037009
VIAs dated 4982
VIC dated 5182
6502 dated 8249
Case top uses C64 style moulding (RF cutout)
Sold in K-Mart for $89.89 on Dec 22 1983 - I have the receipt
Matching box

Seems interesting to note that the machine sold more than a year after the parts were manufactured. Commodore/MOS must have had quite a backlog.

The machine works, but doesn't always seem to reset at power on. Is in 'as new' physical condition. Eurostyle keyboard doesn't feel great to type on. Was only $90 US in retail at this time.
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