Any idea what typeface was used for Elle Magazine?
It’s a compressed font in the Didone genre. Onyx (1937) is close; Arsis (1939) is also close. Modern 20 and De Vinne (not ornamental) have the longer, thin serifs but are not condensed. This was printed in 1950, so it’s long before digital type and even photo type.
I found a vector shape version of the original. I turned off everything except the “E” and did a side by side with the Onyx and Arsis. You’re right in that they’re both pretty close. Given the age of the original (1945), it may very well be custom.
Thanks for your help!
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