Perfect typography is a science rather than an art. A thorough grasp of the craft is indispensable but it is not all, for the sound taste which distinguishes the perfect is based on a clear knowledge of the laws of harmonious form. It is true that it springs, as a rule, even though only in part, from an original [...]

If an ordinary book deserves to be produced with the greatest possible care, then, certainly, so does a classic. The word ‘classic’ is perhaps too freely used nowadays, and is indeed applied to many more books than would have been the case fifty years ago. But all books whose value has been proved to be lasting [...]

In the person and the practice of Jan Tschichold we have a fresh example of the difficulty of making plain common sense prevail, even in so old a craft as typography. The difficulty is by now largely past, for today Tschichold is acclaimed and honoured for an achievement truly international. His 30 years’ work in every field [...]