1930's / 1940's
Lettering from this period was heavily influenced by music and the Art Deco movement. While decorative serif styles were still in use, the scrollwork and embellishments that marked the early 1900's were now considered old fashioned and passé. Sans serif lettering became more popular than ever before as artists began pushing the boundaries of letter design with extreme thick and thins and minimalistic curved lines. Showcard writer Alf Becker was in his heyday and released his 100 Alphabets book in 1941, which continues to inspire both sign artists and font designers today (as evidenced by several fonts depicted below). Can't decide? I've personally compiled a package of 30's and 40's fonts for you.

Angel by John Studden
LHF Angel
Aristocrat by John Studden
LHF Aristocrat
Becker Classic by Dave Smith
LHF Becker Classic
Bell Boy by Chuck Davis
LHF Bell Boy
Branding Iron by Patrick Kalange
LHF Branding Iron
Broadway Panels 1 by Mike Jackson
LHF Broadway Panels 1
Broadway Panels 2 by Mike Jackson
LHF Broadway Panels 2
Broadway Panels 3 by Mike Jackson
LHF Broadway Panels 3
Broadway Panels 4 by Mike Jackson
LHF Broadway Panels 4
Bulldog by John Studden
LHF Bulldog
City Boy by Steve Contreras
LHF City Boy
Cincinnati Poster by Arthur Vanson
LHF Cincinnati Poster
Coffee Shop by Dave Correll
LHF Coffee Shop
Egyptian by Tom Kennedy
LHF Egyptian
Fat Cat by Chuck Davis
LHF Fat Cat
Fat Daddy by Denise Bayers
LHF Fat Daddy
Gloria by Charles Borges
LHF Gloria
Handyman by Patrick Kalange
LHF Handyman
Hexagon Modern by Corey Lewis
LHF Hexagon Modern
Hudson by Kaitlin Sims
LHF Hudson
Matthew's Modern by John Studden
LHF Matthew's Modern
Metro 39 by John Davis
LHF Metro 39
Palace Bold by John Studden
LHF Palace Bold
Pullman Train by John Studden
LHF Pullman Train
Speakeasyby Denise Bayers
LHF Speakeasy
Speakeasy Extrasby Denise Bayers
LHF Speakeasy
Stove Pipe Thin by John Studden
LHF Stove Pipe Thin
Tubby by Steve Contreras
LHF Tubby
Wade Dynamic by Arthur Vanson
LHF Wade Dynamic
Wade Grotesque by Arthur Vanson
LHF Wade Grotesque
Welo Thin by Patrick Kalange
LHF Welo Thin