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Re: Eurostile keyboard VIC on Ebay

Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2017 1:18 pm
by mrr19121970
Fontist ??

Re: Eurostile keyboard VIC on Ebay

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 8:05 am
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.

Re: Eurostile keyboard VIC on Ebay

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 2:21 pm
by orion70
Mangling fonts' names could become a recurrent joke :)

Re: Eurostile keyboard VIC on Ebay

Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2017 5:29 am
by srowe
orion70 wrote:Mangling fonts' names could become a recurrent joke :)
That could be Comac (Sans).

Re: Eurostile keyboard VIC on Ebay

Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2017 8:02 pm
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...

Re: Eurostile keyboard VIC on Ebay

Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2017 5:38 am
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.

Re: Eurostile keyboard VIC on Ebay

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2017 10:14 pm
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.