Andre Norton paperback covers (Fawcett Crest)
![Star Rangers (Aug. 1979) [More info on ISFDB]](https://original.fontsinuse.com/fontsinuse.com/use-images/141/141862/141862.jpeg)
Star Rangers (Aug. 1979) [More info on ISFDB]
Accelera is an all-caps typeface shown by Photo-Lettering in their Alphabet Thesaurus Vol. 3 from 1971, without individual design credits. The extrabold rounded sans is distinguished by a triple South shade. It was offered in five variants named A to E. In A, letterforms and shades are all open. B has open letterforms and solid shades. It’s reversed in D. In Accelera C, the first and third shades are filled in. Finally, all parts are solid in E.
The most extensive use of Accelera that I’m aware of is for a series of science fiction novels by Andre Norton (1912–2005), published in paperback by Fawcett Crest between 1979 and 1981. Apparently three shadows were considered insufficient to hint at the depth of Norton’s adventures in space: in the first volumes, the number of typographic echoes was cranked up to a whopping eight, printed in alternating colors. In later additions, it was decided that a double shadow is enough.
No typographer is credited. The cover art is by Scottish artist Ken Barr (1933–2016).
Synopsis and blurbs on the front and back are set in several styles from Antique Olive, with Antique Olive Compact being used for the title.
The five variants of Accelera as shown in Photo-Lettering’s One-Line Manual of Styles, 1971
![Shadow Hawk (Nov. 1979) [More info on ISFDB]](https://original.fontsinuse.com/fontsinuse.com/use-images/N232/232099/232099.jpeg)
Shadow Hawk (Nov. 1979) [More info on ISFDB]
![Judgment on Janus (Dec. 1979) [More info on ISFDB]](https://original.fontsinuse.com/fontsinuse.com/use-images/141/141856/141856.jpeg)
Judgment on Janus (Dec. 1979) [More info on ISFDB]
![Victory on Janus (Jan. 1980) [More info on ISFDB]](https://original.fontsinuse.com/fontsinuse.com/use-images/141/141852/141852.jpeg)
Victory on Janus (Jan. 1980) [More info on ISFDB]
![Star Gate (March 1980) [More info on ISFDB]](https://original.fontsinuse.com/fontsinuse.com/use-images/N232/232104/232104.jpeg)
Star Gate (March 1980) [More info on ISFDB]
![Catseye (April 1980) [More info on ISFDB]](https://original.fontsinuse.com/fontsinuse.com/use-images/N232/232101/232101.jpeg)
Catseye (April 1980) [More info on ISFDB]
![Sea Siege (May 1980) [More info on ISFDB]](https://original.fontsinuse.com/fontsinuse.com/use-images/141/141854/141854.jpeg)
Sea Siege (May 1980) [More info on ISFDB]
![Dread Companion (Aug. 1980) [More info on ISFDB]](https://original.fontsinuse.com/fontsinuse.com/use-images/N232/232102/232102.jpeg)
Dread Companion (Aug. 1980) [More info on ISFDB]
![Dark Piper (Sep. 1980) [More info on ISFDB]](https://original.fontsinuse.com/fontsinuse.com/use-images/141/141876/141876.jpeg)
Dark Piper (Sep. 1980) [More info on ISFDB]
![Huon of the Horn (Oct. 1980) [More info on ISFDB]](https://original.fontsinuse.com/fontsinuse.com/use-images/141/141860/141860.jpeg)
Huon of the Horn (Oct. 1980) [More info on ISFDB]
![Postmarked the Stars (Dec. 1980) [More info on ISFDB]](https://original.fontsinuse.com/fontsinuse.com/use-images/141/141861/141861.jpeg)
Postmarked the Stars (Dec. 1980) [More info on ISFDB]
![Operation Time Search (Feb. 1981) [More info on ISFDB]](https://original.fontsinuse.com/fontsinuse.com/use-images/N232/232103/232103.jpeg)
Operation Time Search (Feb. 1981) [More info on ISFDB]
1 Comment on “Andre Norton paperback covers (Fawcett Crest)”
Emma Straub’s latest book, American Fantasy (Riverhead, April 2026) comes with a jacket design featuring art by Vi-An Nguyen and lettering by Jessica Hische. It looks to me as if the latter was inspired by Accelera.