新装復刻版 変体英文字図案集 / Old-Style Alphabet Lettering of Japan

Size : 105 x 148 mm    

Softcover, 276 pages 

color, black and white

published by 青幻舎(SEIGENSHA)

ビジュアル文庫 「描き文字図案集」復刻シリーズ 第3弾!   60年代、デザインの黎明期代に考案された楽しく、美しい英字の世界。 戦後の印刷物、掲示、看板などに書かれたアルファベットおよび英数字の実用的な字体をはじめ、装飾・美術的なさまざまなスタイルを第1章「英字スタイル」とし70パターン掲載。これをもとに第2章「英字モノグラム」は、ABCと数字をあらゆる角度から組み合わせたモノグラムのバリエーションを約1000種収録。

Title: Old-Style Alphabet Lettering of Japan

This volume is composed of a main section of alphabet and number fonts that were used for both practical and ornamental purposes, and a smaller section underneath on each page of monograms formed from combinations of alphabet letters and numbers in a variety of angles.
After World War II, there was a sharp increase in Japan of printed materials, notices, and guide boards and explanation boards written in foreign languages, particularly English, seen everywhere indoors and outdoors, so that foreign languages became a common feature of life for the Japanese.
The English letter styles and the marks that accompany them expressed in these various printed materials and are in bold and other types of fonts with well-defined strong form, delicate beauty, lightly rhythmical lines, and dignified formal arrangements appropriate for the main purposes of their texts, pictures, and designs.
If these objects were put on exhibit, how they would delight the eye and what quiet enjoyment they would give the heart!