Letterforms Study Group: Corsivo Inglese in Caratteri—0. Milano

June 8, 2025 | Day 0—Castello Sforzesco

Orientation Day

Normally Orientation Day for Legacy of Letters or for the Letterforms Study Group abroad begins in the evening with a group meeting, followed by a convivial dinner. However, this year began in the afternoon with an optional visit to the Castello Sforzesco to see a small but rich exhibition titled Cataloghissimo: La comunicazione dei grandi magazzini. The exhibition had nothing to do with the theme of the study group, but the posters, catalogues and other items on display were visually compelling—especially those from the Art Nouveau and Art Deco eras—and the trip provided a chance for members of the group to get to know each other better.

La Tessile Tessuti Sartoria (Autumn 1934 / Winter 1935) cover and an interior spread. From the exhibition Cataloghissimo: La comunicazione die Grandi magazzini at the Castello Sforzesco. Photograph by Paul Shaw 2025.

La Tessile poster by Giacinto Mondaini (1933). From the exhibition Cataloghissimo: La comunicazione die Grandi magazzini at the Castello Sforzesco. Photograph by Paul Shaw 2025.

The Orientation Dinner took place at Trattoria Aurora, a restaurant dating to the Art Nouveau era located in Milano’s Navigli district. We ate in the vine-covered rear. The group consisted of Paul Shaw, James Clough, Henri-Paul Bronsard, Riccardo Dei Franceschi, Janet Elliott, Earl Kallemeyn and his wife Dana Kadison, Gabriella Miyares, Josse Pickard, Erin Roche, Yasmin Rodriguez and her partner Breanna Parolini and infant son Julian. Richard Ardagh, our master printer from London was not present as he was in Cornuda doing advance prep for the upcoming workshop. At dinner we were joined by Antonio Cavedoni, a Milanese type designer.

Orientation dinner at Trattoria Aurora in Milano. Visible clockwise: Riccardo De Franceschi, James Clough, Janet Elliott, Earl Kallemeyn, and Dana Kadison. Photograph by Paul Shaw 2025.

Letterforms Study Group: Corsivo Inglese in Caratteri—1. Milano