A fine copy. Vol 1: This exuberant selection of typographic fonts and styles traces the modern evolution of the printed letter, reproducing pages from exquisitely designed catalogs showing type specimens in roman, italic, bold, semi-bold, narrow, and broad fonts. Also included are borders, ornaments, initial letters and decorations, and many spectacular examples of their use. Victorian fonts, spectacular in their complexity, are accorded a prominent place. In addition, examples from lithography and letters by inscription carvers and calligraphers are also included and described.

Featured works by type designers William Caslon, Fritz Helmuth Ehmcke, Peter Behrens, Rudolf Koch, Eric Gill, Jan van Krimpen, Paul Renner, Jan Tschichold, A. M. Cassandre, Aldo Novarese, and Adrian Frutiger.

In order to accommodate a vast amount of material, the publisher has divided this text into two volumes. This, the first volume covers the period from 1628-1900 and contains a history of the collection by Jan Tholenaar.

Includes exclusive access with TASCHEN keycard to online image library: over 1400 high-resolution scans of type specimens downloadable for unrestricted use.