The Cultural Import of Typography - An Essay: Including an Introductory Chapter by William Skeen
By Pierce Butler and William Skeen
()
About this ebook
An insightful essay on the profound impact typography has had on our visual and cultural landscapes, delving into the rich history of the art.
First published in 1940, Pierce Butler explores the intricate relationship between letters, design, and sociohistorical context in the evolution of typography in this fascinating essay. Gain a deeper understanding of the significance of typography in our art, communication, and perception of the world around us. This volume illuminates the often-overlooked influence of typography and is an essential read for those interested in the intricate interplay between words and visuals.
Proudly republished by Read & Co. Great Essays, this edition features an introductory essay by William Skeen.
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The Cultural Import of Typography - An Essay - Pierce Butler
THE CULTURAL
IMPORT OF TYPOGRAPHY
AN ESSAY
By
PIERCE BUTLER
INCLUDING AN
INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER
BY WILLIAM SKEEN
First published in 1940
Copyright © 2023 Old Hand Books
This edition is published by Old Hand Books,
an imprint of Read & Co.
This book is copyright and may not be reproduced or copied in any
way without the express permission of the publisher in writing.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available
from the British Library.
Read & Co. is part of Read Books Ltd.
For more information visit
www.readandcobooks.co.uk
Contents
EARLY TYPOGRAPHY
A Chapter by William Skeen
THE CULTURAL IMPORT OF TYPOGRAPHY
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
EARLY TYPOGRAPHY
A Chapter by William Skeen
Printing is the art of producing copies of engraved writings or designs, by pressure, either upon the inked surfaces of characters raised in relief, or on metal plates, the upper surfaces of which are polished, and the sunk engravings charged with colour. The most important, if not the oldest branch of this art, is that of Typography, or Letter-press Printing. To this Art, as it was invented and perfected in Europe in the Fifteenth century, the epithets Divine and Noble have not untruly been applied.
It is Noble, not merely because it is one of those arts or professions, the practice of which was permitted to the nobility of the German Empire, but because it is the nurse and preserver of all other arts and sciences; and is unquestionably the most important as well as the most beneficial invention the world has ever seen. It is the disseminator of every other discovery; the commemorator of all other inventions: it hands down to posterity every important event; immortalizes the actions of the great and good; and requires, moreover, in all who would thoroughly excel in its practice, the highest attainable combination of mental alacrity, educated intelligence, and expert manual dexterity.
It is Divine, inasmuch as it is one of the grand instruments in the hands of Providence for the regeneration of fallen humanity. By it the mightiest movement the world has ever seen since the days when the Apostolic Twelve went about turning it upside down,
—the Great Reformation of the Sixteenth century,—was mainly effected. Without it the Word of God could not have been diffused, as it has been, is being, and will continue to be, to every nation and tribe and people and tongue throughout the world: while but for it England and the Anglo-Saxon race, who owe it so much for the stability and uniformity it gave to their language,[1] would never have attained their present proud pre-eminence amongst the nations of the earth.
Religion, Arts, Sciences, Commerce, and Civilization, have had the greatest scope, and been most fully developed, wherever the Press