By Simon Garfield

Albertus, first carved on a bronze tablet in the 1930s by German Jewish refugee Berthold Wolpe, has proved to be one of the most enduring handcrafted typefaces in the world. It is at once modern and timeless, authoritative and whimsical—renowned as the typeface of London Street signs, David Bowie albums, and Star Wars movie posters.

In this unique celebration, best-selling author Simon Garfield (author of Just My Type) charts the story of the creation of Albertus, its innumerable and vibrant uses, and the erratic brilliance of its designer, as recounted by Wolpe’s children. Through his exploration of this singular font, Garfield grapples with one of the most fundamental artistic questions: what makes great art not only survive but flourish in each new age and medium?

Includes Bibliography and List of Further Reading, as well as an index

Book 1 of Garfield's ABC of Fonts Series

Jacket design by Derek Thornton

Published by W. W. Norton & Company, 2024

Hardcover, 139 pages, b&w, 4.75 × 7.5 inches

ISBN: 978-1-32-408622-2