Tree of Type
February
9,
2012
|
By Steven Heller
Steven Heller's article on the Tree of Type first appeared on http://imprint.printmag.com and we thank the publisher for allowing us to repost it on our blog.
In 1937, on the 100th anniversary of the founding of The Bauer Type Foundry in 1837, the storied firm issued "Bauer's Family Tree of Printing Types." The beautifully illustrated and precisely lettered arbor may not be entirely accurate, history-wise, but it is a delightful way of learning about the lineage of type.
For your enjoyment, I reproduce the tree in parts and as a whole, as well as the text, which was set in in Elizabeth Roman and Italic. Just think how tall the tree would be today 75 years (if my math is correct) later.
