![]() Our analytical transcription enhances rather the artistic and visual qualities of his typeface. A detailed evaluation of Baskerville’s heritage, however, remains a task for historians. Baskerville perhaps anticipated certain elements known from Bodoni and Didot, which is why nowadays everybody calls it a “transitory” phenomenon. His punchcutter John Handy was given the task to make the typeface different from the then fashionable Caslon, which was a surprise for a certain part of typophiles of the period. He proceeded along these lines also when designing his new typeface. He strove to remove everything which obstructs legibility, working without ornaments and rules, neatly, and with large margins. ![]() When composing the pages, Baskerville emphasized the importance of the blank space, just as the effect of the majestic austerity of the setting, which became an inspiration for Neo-classical typographers. These were large-size, stately prints on paper smoothed out by hot copper calender rollers. ![]() We selected as the most successful models for the digitization of this typeface its Roman and italics in the size of about today’s 14 points, which Baskerville used for the printing, among other things, of his folio Bible in 1763 and Vergil’s works in Latin in 1757. Thanks to the understanding of the librarian Petr MaÅ¡ek we were allowed to study and photograph four rare volumes from Baskerville’s printing office, dating from about 1760. Our pursuit of this paramount body typeface of the 20th century began in Nové Hrady Castle, the place where a part of the depository of old prints of the National Museum Library is kept, in the summer of 1999. Until recently the story of this typeface ended with mediocre digital versions, which did not get at the root of its inspiration. Baskerville Original Pro contains 12 styles and family package options. Baskerville is perfectly modern in its antiquity, striking in its modesty and timeless in its transiency.Baskerville Original Pro was published by Storm. We are convinced that your readers will enjoy this font mainly for reading extensive works, but also for creating corporate identity, orientation systems and cultural posters. Drawing, programming, proofing and testing took us many years of development and brought thousands of new letters and dozens of language options. The old masters were limited by the technology of the time, but today we can dare to have very fine lines, unlimited ligatures, size variations and sophisticated OpenType functions. This is not a precise remake of rare Baskerville prints or a restoration of the original punches cut by John Handy, but rather our ideal essence of transitional typography. In keeping with the original inventor’s spirit of excellence, we hereby offer its most advanced digital version. ![]() Baskerville is undoubtedly the best choice for any kind of publishing house. Graphic design today calls for clean and minimalistic solutions, where the use of historical typefaces can achieve a vivid contrast with contemporary elements on the page or screen. As a calligrapher and technical innovator, Baskerville invented new design, papermaking and printing methods, and his typography is very natural and legible to this day. It shaped culture, education, entertainment and science, but also the development of typography itself. It has been created and printed for millions of readers around the world for more than two and a half centuries. One of the most widely used typefaces in the world is actually a legacy of 18th century aesthetics, representing the spirit of late Baroque design, architecture, fashion and society.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |