The ABC of Fonts Series Albertus

A compact and charming history of the beloved handcrafted font by the New York Times best-selling author of Just My Type. Praise for Just My Type “Funny and fascinating, irreverent and playful yet endlessly illuminating, the book is an absolute treat for the type-nerd, design history geek, and general lover of intelligent writing with humor.” — Maria Popova, The Atlantic “Whether you’re a graphic designer or a layperson with no background in this area, reading what Garfield has to say will change the way you perceive the written word forever.” — Wes Bausmith, Los Angeles Times “Deliriously clever and entertaining.” — Kate Tuttle, Boston Globe Albertus, first carved on a bronze tablet in the 1930s by German Jewish refugee Berthold Wolpe, has proved to be one of the most enduring handcrafted typefaces in the world. It is at once modern and timeless, authoritative and whimsical—renowned as the typeface of London Street signs, David Bowie albums, and Star Wars movie posters. In this unique celebration, best-selling author Simon Garfield charts the story of the creation of Albertus, its innumerable and vibrant uses, and the erratic brilliance of its designer, as recounted by Wolpe’s children. Through his exploration of this singular font, Garfield grapples with one of the most fundamental artistic questions: what makes great art not only survive but flourish in each new age and medium?