LESSONS

Type Categories, part 01: Blackletter

Type Categories, part 01

Throughout history various type forms have been developed in response to the technology, needs, and trends of the particular period. In the world of typography there are numerous ways of classifying type. Here is a simple, easy to use list that will give you a brief insight into the major categories of typography along with their approximate date of origin (rounded to the nearest quarter century). The examples listed are shown below their respective category.

Blackletter, circa 1450

The earliest printing type, it’s forms were based on the hand-copying styles used for books in Germany, France, Spain, the Netherlands and England. Due to it’s use in England the blackletter fonts sold in the US are often referred to as “Olde English.” Examples shown: Cloister Black, and Goudy Text

Information cited from: A Type Primer by John Kane and The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst

Throughout history various type forms have been developed in response to the technology, needs, and trends of the particular period. In the world of typography there are numerous ways of classifying type. Here is a simple, easy to use graphic that will give you a brief insight into the major categories of typography along with their approximate date of origin (rounded to the nearest quarter century). We’ll begin by taking a closer look at Blackletter today, and will visit the remaining categories over the next 8 Mondays.

type_timeline

Keep in mind that decorative and headline typefaces are not included in the list because there are so many different ways to categorize them.

Blackletter, circa 1450

Blackletter is the earliest printing type, it’s forms were based on the hand-copying styles used for books in Germany, France, Spain, the Netherlands and England. Due to it’s use in England the blackletter fonts sold in the US are often referred to as “Olde English.” Examples shown above: Cloister Black, and Goudy Text. You’ve probably seen Blackletter type all around you, some of the larger newspapers in the US use a custom drawn Blackletter for their mastheads.