Bodoni Is Not Bodoni: A First-Hand Look at Classical Typefaces

Paul Shaw
Thursday, March 24 and April 7, 2011
5:30–7:30 pm
Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Butler Library, Columbia University

Garamond No. 3 is not Garamont. Bauer Bodoni is not Bodoni. This two-session course is a first-hand exploration into finding out why these statements are true. It is a chance to look at the “real thing”, the sources of classical typefaces up close and in detail. Books printed in the typefaces of Nicolas Jenson, Francesco Griffo, Claude Garamont, Robert Granjon, William Caslon, John Baskerville, Giambattista Bodoni and Firmin Didot will be examined and then compared to 20th century metal, film and digital versions. Thus, De Aetna by Cardinal Pietro Bembo will be paired with Bembo, De Evangelica Preparatione by Eusebius will be contrasted with Centaur, and so on. This course is for those who not only want to see where the typefaces they admire and use everyday come from, but also how they compare to their sources. What are the differences between them? Why are there differences? Join Bodoni Is Not Bodoni and find out the answers. Register online now!