The Letter Forms and Type Designs of Eric Gill

Although Eric Gill’s greater fame derived mainly from his sculpture, he was also the foremost inscriptional lettercutter of his time. Under the aegis, first, of Robert Gibbings of the Golden Cockerel Press, and, later, of Stanley Morison of the Monotype Corporation, these lettering interests led to his work being commissioned for the design of types for printers and publishers. Two of these types—Gill Sans and Perpetua—became internationally renowned and are still extensively used. Yet two of his lesser-known type designs, those for Felicity and Joanna Italic, can offer serious claims to be considered as two of the most beautiful printing types available. In this one, Robert Harling traces the story of Gill’s career—from his early days as a cutter of tombstones and memorials to his emergence as a type designer. Loaded with good illustrations.