Books and Printing; a Treasury for Typophiles

About this book

This volume is a curated anthology of essays and articles on the history, craft, and aesthetics of books and printing, assembled by Paul A. Bennett and issued by The World Publishing Company in 1963. It opens with a practical note about the limited font families used in the digital transcription, then moves into a formal acknowledgment page that lists the many typographers, scholars, and publishers whose works have been reprinted with permission. The introductory material explains the editor’s intent to balance “introductory” and “prefatory” commentary, while the table of contents reveals a broad sweep of topics, from the origins of the alphabet and the development of type to debates over modern versus traditional design, illustrated by contributions from figures such as W. A. Dwiggins, Beatrice Warde, and Otto Ege.

The voice is scholarly yet conversational, reflecting mid‑century American typographic discourse. Its prose is peppered with occasional humor and a reverence for both historical documents and contemporary debate. Readers who appreciate the minutiae of type design, the evolution of book production, or the cultural role of printers will find it rewarding; it especially suits collectors, design students, and anyone interested in the dialogue between tradition and innovation in the printed word.