Bulmer is a serif typeface designed by William Martin around 1790 for the Shakespeare Press, operated by William Bulmer in London. It's classified as a transitional typeface, bridging the gap between the earlier Old Style designs like Caslon and the later, more geometric Modern faces like Didot and Bodoni.
Bulmer's design is characterized by its elegant and refined letterforms, with a relatively high contrast between thick and thin strokes. It exhibits a degree of sharpness and precision that anticipates the Modern faces, but retains a certain warmth and readability associated with earlier designs. The serifs are bracketed, meaning they curve smoothly into the main stroke, unlike the unbracketed serifs of Modern faces.
The original Bulmer typeface was cut for the Shakespeare Press, which was renowned for its high-quality printing and typographic standards. The face was used in numerous prestigious publications, solidifying its reputation and influence.
Over time, the original Bulmer types were lost or dispersed, leading to various revivals and interpretations. These revivals often differ in their interpretation of the original design, with some emphasizing the transitional aspects and others leaning more towards either the Old Style or Modern characteristics. Prominent revivals have been created by type foundries such as Monotype.
Bulmer is often used in book design, particularly for text settings, as well as in advertising and other applications where a classic and elegant typeface is desired. It's a versatile typeface suitable for both print and digital media. The different revivals can offer subtle variations in appearance, allowing designers to choose a version that best suits their particular needs.