Treasury of Alphabets and Lettering. A Source Book of the Best Letter Forms of Past and Present for Sign Painters, Graphic Artists, Commercial Artists, Typographers, Printers, Sculptors, Architects, and Schools of Art and Design by Jan Tschichold

Treasury of Alphabets and Lettering is a fine collection of type specimens selected by Jan Tschichold, a famous typographer and book artist. Only crème de la crème of the lettering world made it to this edition: true typeface role models with each and every one of them featuring exceptional beauty beyond time and fashion.

Book in dust jacket

Before presenting his collection, Tschichold exercises in-depth analysis of letter anatomy, studies good and bad type, speaks on the use of upper and lower case, kerning, and leading. A good part of the book is dedicated to properly selecting a typeface for the task and to design with type and typography in general in a city environment. A vast number of precious historical illustrations are published in the original size and underwent a thorough retouching by the author, thus resulting in a better quality compared to the time-damaged originals.

Based on decades of study, this source book for lettering men, graphic designers, lithographers and related professions should serve not just the moment. The letters I have ultimately selected have stood the test of severe scrutiny. We may therefore hope that, for decades to come they will also stand the test of time. The plates offer familiar as well as the unknown; they are immediately useful as well as inspirational; they contain letters for students as well as for masters. All of them contribute to a true culture of letters and their application.

From the author’s foreword