Stanley Morison

"To understand the language and development of type is to know its history. Letter Forms is a collection of essays by and about Stanley Morison, adviser to Monotype, and the greatest type historian of our time. An essay by Beatrice Warde is an illuminating introduction to the man referred to as a "typographic firmament." In his own words Morison then relates the history of classifying typographical variations and delves into the literature on the subject of letterforms. Finally, the author uncovers the significance of the discovery of a 16th century manuscript by Horfei in the Vatican Library."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Stanley Morison provided the impetus and judgement behind the programme of typographical revival carried through by the Monotype Corporation in the 1920s and early 1930s. The Tally is an account, historical, critical and functional, of the types cut under Morison's direction during this period.

Printed in letterpress, with 24 duotone offset illustrations, this book examines the calligraphy of the sixteenth century from Arrighi to Ugo da Carpi, from Tagliente to Celebrino da Udine. As always with Morison, it is full of surprises, for this was Morison s particular passion, and in the area of stylistic comparisons and close observation, Morison was an undisputed master. This is, then, not only the last major Morison text to be published, but also one of fundamental importance, covering the most important period (and the most beautiful examples) in the history of calligraphy.