541 High Street

Yovng Mens Christian Association building
541 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia
circa 1887

Here is my find today in my lettering and topography quest near the Tidewater Community College | Visual Arts Center | 340 High Street.

This typeface is a roman serif. (I do not say Roman because this was done in Rome, but rather I use the lower case roman because the describes the upright (vertical) direction and style of the letters (versus oblique or bold). In some font names that are found today, instead of the word roman, the word regular has come into use.)

This typeface appears to be a variation of Trajan. The same lettering that was used on the Column of Trajan in the forum in Rome, Italy, which has been copied since the time when it was executed around 113 CE.

When trying to identify the typeface Trajan, there are a few distinctions that can be specifically looked at within the letterforms. The use of a 'v' for a 'u' is one of the most telling characteristics. But the slanted-leg 'M' and the narrow 'E', 'S', 'F' and 'G' are also telling. The widely generous 'C', 'D', 'N' and 'O' also are visually identifiable. The beauty of Trajan is the very clean and porportional design. There is no lower case; it only comes in capital letters. It is very legible especially from a distance, as can be seen on the facade above.

The added beauty and delight of this building is Renaissance Revival architectural style and detailing. The four storeys are in classical Italian form (piano noble raised above the street level, with reduced-height storeys above), the dentils at the roof line, and the fancy cross brickwork between the windows. On the lower floor, the ample keystone in the radial brick arch, in addition to the basketweave brick in the arch above the door. With the brick field being set in a running Flemish bond (each brick course alternating between short end of the brick and the long side of the brick). All of these features together make this a building that is quite handsome.

I have seen a few photos of the past (1800s) and this building at one time was sitting quite alone and was handsome from all sides, unlike today where it is sandwiched tightly between it's neighbors, with no long view possible of its ornate and definitely lovely facade.

Hope you have enjoyed the choice for today.

Other urban topography & lettering photos in this series:

In Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia
All Saints Chapel : 500 Court Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Historical Placard Q 8A : 500 Court Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
1763 Grave Marker : 500 Court Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
FOOTE Memorial Stone : 500 Court Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Two Crosses : 500 Court Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Bangel Law Building : 505 Court Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Portsmouth Public Library : 606 Court Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Pythian Castle : 600-612 Court Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Towne Bank Building : 200 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Coffee House Facade : 300 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Near The Bay Antiques & Collectables : 307-309 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Chapman Building : 310 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Café Europa : 319 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
The Lobscouser : 337 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
New Kirn Building : 339 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Dollar General : 326 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Corner Stone for Yovng Men's Christian Association building : 541 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Saint Paul's Catholic Church Memorial Marker : 518 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Yovng Mens Christian Association building : 541 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA

In downtown Norfolk, Virginia
Martin Building : 300 Granby Street, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
Velvet Lounge : 332 Granby Street, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
Madison Hotel : 345 Granby Street, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
The Fontaine Room : 345 Granby Street, Norfolk, Virginia, USA