Only Fools and Horses logo

The 1980s British sitcom Only Fools and Horses makes prolific use of the hand-written Mistral typeface as its eternally recognisable signature design theme. Roger Excoffon’s 1953 design can be seen in its logo, titles, credits and endless merchandise – taking advantage of its instant recognisability to capture the attention of the shows fans.

Ironically, in the West Coast of America gangster rappers NWA and their founder Eazy-E did the same with Mistral also!

Only Fools and Horses, All the Best – Volume 3 DVD packaging, 2004. The small text is in Franklin Gothic.

Only Fools and Horses Bobble Buddies box set with the Trotters’s three-wheeled Reliant Regal van. Fonts used on the packaging include Cooper Black and Gill Sans.

Only Fools and Horses original intro, 1981

Only Fools and Horses original intro, 1981

Only Fools and Horses original intro, 1981

Only Fools and Horses original intro, 1981

Only Fools and Horses original intro, 1981

8th Wonder (1981) album cover. The title is added in Coronet, with the 8 from Algerian. Design by Hemu Ghia Aggarwal. [More info on Discogs]

The Sugarhill Gang’s second album, 8th Wonder, was released in 1981. It introduced a logo – which would continue to be seen on future singles, album releases and publicity material.

The logo consists of the Algerian typeface and makes use of a custom elongated T as well as alternates for A, H, N and S.

Livin’ in the Fast Lane (1984) album cover. The title is in ITC Souvenir Bold Italic. Design by Hemu Ghia Aggarwal. [More info on Discogs]

Press photo by Anthony Barboza

German sleeve for the “Apache” 12″ single b/w “Showdown”. Titles use Franklin Gothic, with Helvetica for the runtime. The sticker (“SUPER SOUND SINGLE”) is in Plaza Ultra with its descending alternate S and G. [More info on Discogs]

Source: www.deezer.com License: All Rights Reserved.

“Call Me”, performed by Blondie and produced by Giorgio Moroder, is the theme from the movie American Gigolo. The 7″ single sleeve uses Kaufmann. Shown here are four variations used across different territories, all on the Chrysalis label, with the Latin American version sung in Spanish (“Llámame”). Was Kaufmann utilised strategically for marketing purposes from its familiarity with the film’s script style logo (in Filmotype Lady) and benefit from the publicity the film was receiving?

[More info on Discogs]

Source: www.discogs.com License: All Rights Reserved.

The sans on the back cover is ITC Avant Garde Gothic.

License: All Rights Reserved.

Version with Richard Gere, used in the United States and various European countries

Source: www.discogs.com License: All Rights Reserved.

Argentinian version “en Castellano”, featuring Akzidenz-Grotesk

Source: www.discogs.com License: All Rights Reserved.

“Versión Español” from Mexico

Chicago record label D.J. International Records, formed in 1985 at the birth of house music with releases from seminal artists of the genre such as Frankie Knuckles, Marshall Jefferson, Farley Jackmaster Funk, Steven “Silk” Hurley, Joe Smooth, Sterling Void, etc. Also responsible for early acid house and hip-house records from Fast Eddie and Tyree Cooper. Their logo made fantastic use of Chromium One.

I was looking for inspiration for a forthcoming BMX product brand and remembered their logo… it’s a bit like Quicksilver, it came to me, must be Chromium One.

[More info on Discogs]

The Acid Megamix, ZYX 5973, 1988

Sterling Void – It’s All Right, 1989

Tyree featuring J.M.D. – “Move Your Body”, 1989

ITC Machine used by Ronald Reagan campaigning in the 1980 presidential race. See also the buttons from the same campaign.