Rudolf Weiss designed this typeface in 1926 for the Bauer foundry of Frankfurt. Weiss is based on typefaces from the Italian Renaissance, and is one of the earliest contemporary serif types to have italics based on the chancery style of writing.

The vertical strokes that are heavier at the top than at the bottom are unusual, and give Weiss a distinct beauty. Weiss is a legible text type and an elegant display face for headlines or titles.