Louise Fili

Bold, monumental, atmospheric, architectural letters with relief and shadow define great periods of confidence and optimism. Shadows add intrigue and spectacle to otherwise mundane words. And they're back in style. Drawn from a particularly rich period in the history of shadow type, from the 19th to the mid-20th century, this is the first compilation of popular, rare and forgotten three-dimensional letters from Germany, France, Britain, Italy and the United States, where the best examples were produced. Presented in compact form, with examples from some 300 sources compiled by the leading historian of graphic design, this lively publication, packed full of typographic ideas for any purpose, will amuse, enchant and inspire anyone aiming to impart depth to their design.

From wedding announcements to IOUs, there are hundreds perhaps thousands of scripts, some classic, others eccentric. Derived from handwriting, these are typefaces that are stylized to suggest, imply or symbolize certain traits linked to writing. Drawn from the Golden Age of scripts, from the 19th to the mid-20th century, this is the first compilation of popular, rare and forgotten scripts from Britain, Italy, France, Germany and the USA. This title is filled with examples from a broad spectrum of sources advertising, street signs, invitations, type-specimen books and personal letters. This collection is a delightful trove of long-overlooked material, and will be an invaluable sourcebook for anyone with an interest in graphic design.