Ad Lib (typeface)

Ad Lib

Category	Display
Designer(s)	Freeman Craw
Foundry	ATF
Date released	1961
Sample

Ad Lib is a decorative typeface that was designed in 1961 by Freeman Craw for American Type Founders. The typeface allegedly inspired by Harold Adler's design for the 1958 film Bonjour Tristesse.^[1][2] Filmotype also designed a narrow variant, Filmotype Pioneer^[3] and a wider variant, Filmotype Moose.^[4]

Originally released with two variants for many characters,^[5] but digital versions only one variant.^[2]

References

1. Bradley, Susan (January 26, 2016). Harold Adler talks about title design & film production for Saul Bass. Vimeo (Video).
2. "Ad Lib in use". Fonts In Use. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
3. "Filmotype Pioneer in use". Fonts In Use. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
4. "Filmotype Moose in use". Fonts In Use. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
5. McGrew 1993, p. 3.

Further reading

• McGrew, Mac (1993). American Metal Typefaces of the Twentieth Century (2nd revised ed.). New Castle, Delaware: Oak Knoll Books. ISBN 0-938768-34-4.