Calligraphy

Since its founding in 1969, the Cary Graphic Arts Collection at Rochester Institute of Technology has grown from the personal library of its namesake Melbert B. Cary Jr., to one of the nation’s premier libraries on graphic communication history. Highlights of the Cary Graphic Arts Collection brings this history to life with a selection of items that not only exemplify the scope and mission of the library, but are treasures in their own right.

This book, a companion volume to the Typophile Chapbook About Alphabets (1960, updated 1970), describes Zapf's post-1970 type designs and provides new research on many of the earlier types. In this volume, Jerry Kelly describes the origins and history of numerous Hermann Zapf typefaces including Marconi, ITC Zapf International, Linotype Zapfino, and Zapf Civilité. Kelly also includes new information on the Palatino nova and Optima nova families.

This elegantly produced exhibition catalog presents their letter-art from Pen & Graver (1939-41) to designs for digital versions of Diotima (2008); pieces done with broad edge pen as well as ballpoint pen alphabets; manuscript books and book design for print; screen-printed and one-off works; and sketches, specimen sheets, and proofs for metal and digital typefaces (Diotima, Colombine, Optima, and Zapfino). English text. Some introductory text also in Japanese. 

"Spend Your Alphabets Lavishly,"—a quote from Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables—aptly describes the lifework of two principal figures in contemporary graphic arts: Hermann and Gudrun Zapf. The Zapfs' 50-year relationship with Rochester Institute of Technology is feted in this exhibition and catalogue, sponsored by RIT’s Melbert B. Cary, Jr. Graphic Arts Collection. The show presents rare holdings of Zapf materials held at the Cary Collection—the foremost Zapf archive outside of Germany.