The Visual History Of Type

by Paul McNeil
The Visual History Of Type cover
Good Books rating 4.42
Design, and Photography
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Format • £66.50
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Technical
  • ID: 5915
  • Added: 2025-10-26
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781780679761
  • Publisher: Laurence King Publishing
  • Published: 2017-09-26
  • Formats: 7
  • Reviews: 4

The Visual History of Type is an extensive exploration of over 320 major typefaces, presented in their original specimens or earliest printings. Each typeface is accompanied by a brief history and description of its key characteristics, offering a chronological context that spans from the advent of movable type to the present day. This book is not just a visual feast but also a valuable resource for graphic designers, educators, historians, and type design students, providing a deep dive into the development of typography./n/nCelebrated for its exquisite production and thorough research, this book is both a coffee-table centerpiece and a genuine reference work. It invites readers to explore the history of type at their leisure, making it an enjoyable and educational journey through the evolution of letterforms. The Visual History of Type is praised for its accessibility and comprehensive coverage, making it an essential addition to any design or history library.

Reviews
Reddit - Typography · Unknown · 2021-09-04
excellent 4.50

The book is treated with care and is highly appreciated. It is considered one of the most beautiful and interesting books ever bought.

The reviewer is very happy with the book and treats it with a lot of care. They find it to be one of the most beautiful and interesting books they've ever bought. The book is described as a fantastic and heavyweight compendium of letterforms, making it a favorite in the WIRED art department. The reviewer's enthusiasm is clear, highlighting the book's visual appeal and comprehensive content.

Quick quotes

    I am really really happy with the book and treat it with a lot of care.

    This is one of the most beautiful *and* interesting books I've ever bought.

    A mind-blowing catalogue of typefaces and type history… a fantastic, heavyweight compendium of letterforms.

Medium - Glenn Fleishman · Glenn Fleishman · 2017-09-11
essential 4.50

The book is a sweeping illustrated work capturing nearly six centuries of typeface design, essential for any font lover.

Glenn Fleishman praises the book as a sweeping illustrated work that captures nearly six centuries of typeface design. It is considered a must-read for any font lover, offering a rich and detailed exploration of typeface history. The book's visual appeal and comprehensive coverage make it a valuable addition to any collection. Fleishman's enthusiasm for the book is clear, highlighting its significance in the world of typography.

Quick quotes

    A sweeping illustrated work capturing nearly six centuries of typeface design that every font lover should read.

    Paul McNeil's The Visual History of Type is a definitive survey of the major typefaces produced since the advent of printing.

    Accessible, highly readable and, moreover, a type book to pore over and simply enjoy as the history of the medium evolves chronologically from page to page.

Creative Review · 2017-09-04
comprehensive 4.50

A comprehensive survey of over 320 typefaces, displayed in their original type specimens or earliest printing.

This book offers a detailed and comprehensive look at the history of typefaces, showcasing over 320 typefaces in their original forms. The reviewer appreciates the depth of the survey and the historical context provided. The book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the evolution of typography. The reviewer finds it to be a well-researched and visually engaging exploration of type history.

Quick quotes

    In The Visual History of Type, more than 320 typefaces are displayed in the form of their original type specimens or earliest printing.

    A comprehensive, detailed survey of the major typefaces produced since the advent of printing with movable type.

    The Visual History of Type is a definitive survey of the major typefaces produced since the advent of printing.

Print Mag · 2017-08-28
valuable 4.20

The book explores the mutual influences of technology and ideology in typeface design, making it a valuable resource for understanding the evolution of typography.

The reviewer highlights a consistent theme in the book: the mutual influences of technology and ideology in typeface design. This theme runs through the book, from medieval times to the modern era, providing a rich context for understanding the evolution of typography. The book's ability to connect these influences is noted as a significant aspect, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history and development of typefaces.

Quick quotes

    A consistent theme running through the book is the mutual influences of technology and ideology, from the medieval through to the modern and to ...

    A sweeping illustrated work capturing nearly six centuries of typeface design that every font lover should read.

    Paul McNeil's The Visual ...

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