Ramsey SD Font

Ramsey SD by Steve Deffeyes is a free calligraphic display font with broad, dark strokes and abrupt hairline turns. Its pointed joins and sweeping curves feel theatrical and slightly unruly.

Event posters are a natural fit because the lettering has the scale and motion of a hand-painted show bill, and the same flourish suits album covers, festival graphics, and fashion packaging. The recurring blade-like tips and curled stroke endings can echo ribbons, stage drapery, or ornamental illustration, so the lettering can become part of the artwork rather than a neutral caption.

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This typeface is based on the 10th-century Ramsey Psalter. The Victorian calligrapher Edward Johnston based his Foundational Hand on it. It uses lowercase letters because body text was written that way at the time.

Completed in August 2009.