Albertus: The Biography of a Typeface

The ABC of Fonts

by Simon Garfield

One of the most beautiful handcrafted typefaces in the world, Albertus is also one of the most enduring.

The face of thousands of book jackets, and the chosen look for David Bowie, Coldplay, Star Wars and London street signs, Albertus is as as warmly enticing on film posters as it is on memorial plaques.

The story of the font is one displacement (its designer Berthold Wolpe was a German Jewish refugee who went on to design the masthead for The Times), but also one of permanence, for it has proved a fresh, vibrant and indestructible face for almost a century. In this unique celebration, the designer's children reveal the history of its creation and the erratic brilliance of their father, while the book grapples with one of the fundamental artistic what makes great art not only survive but flourish in each new age and medium?

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Art, Audiobook

126 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 9, 2023

About the author

Simon Garfield is a British journalist and non-fiction author. He was educated at the independent University College School in Hampstead, London, and the London School of Economics, where he was the Executive Editor of The Beaver. He also regularly writes for The Observer newspaper.

Reviews

[Mary Warnement · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm taking a trip and must return this to the library, but I look forward to finishing. In fact, I'll probably buy my own copy. I hope that this series extends all the way to Z!

I started reading again on a weekend. Garfield's knowledge of type paired with his interviews and observations make for a pleasant companion as I read & ride (as I call my workout on bike with a good book) and then finishing one evening on the loveseat. I admit, Albertus had not been a type that I thought of much. That's changed now. I also appreciate the resources at the back. If only I lived near enough Dulwich to take one of Simon Trewin's Garage Press workshops. I checked this out from the library but may need to own my own copy.

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, but mainly because I'm a typography nerd and I loved Garfield's Just My Type (which I highly recommend!). This is one of those books that publishers ask for because they would like to sell more to people like me. Ha! Take that Norton! I borrowed it from the public library!

[I also borrowed Just My Type from the library, but then bought a copy to keep - that's how much I like that one!]

What i liked about this: quirky (qwerty?) anecdotes about quirky artists and typography fans. The idea of finding examples of Albertus in the wild - fun! And try to picture where I might use Albertus (without looking pretentious or over-importanizing what I'm writing).

I'll read the next in the series (B b Baskerville) - in fact I have it right here in the stack I brought home from the library!!

[Michael Reilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first of three short books on individual typefaces by Simon Garfield. They are follow-ups on his excellent 2010 book "Just My Type, A Book About Fonts". The other two are on the Baskerville and Comic Sans type. (The ABC theme is clever.)

Albertus is a classic style font designed in the 1030s by Berthold Wolpe, a German designer. It is best known for its use for London street signs and books published by Faber and Faber

Baskerville is a relatively modern and legible typeface designed in 1757 by the English type designer John Baskerville.

Comic Sans is a cartoon like type face that was introduced by Microsoft in 1994 to use in children's programs. It became very popular for party invitations and fun stuff. It is hated by many font aficionados.

Each of these books are 120 pages or so. Garfield gives a good picture of the cultural setting that led to the need for the fonts.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having lived in the world of fonts and publishing (print and online) for many years, I’ve become a font freak. I’ll sit through end-of-movie credits because the font is so stunning. I’ll fume at what seems to me the paucity of fonts available in Word. And I’ll immediately check out a book titled Albertus: The Biography of a Typeface when it appears on the new non-fiction shelf in the library.

If you’re a typeface devotee, how can you not feel invited into this book that heralds Albertus this way: “The fact that the design works as well on a Motown record sleeve, a Star Wars poster, and a DVD portraying political and religious power struggles in 16th-century England is both its mystery and its joy.

Plus, a must-read for Anglophiles.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accessible monograph-ish book about Albertus typeface and its creator, Berthold Wolpe. As the author points out, Adobe et al have made millions of ordinary computer users "lords of type". I don't pretend to know much about the subject but I enjoyed hearing my art major friends talk about fonts and typefaces and their printmaking classes during college. This book expanded my knowledge. Garfield has a knack for the subject and I'll seek out more from him.

[Paige]

DNF at p30

So far, this is brief snippets describing various times when Albertus was used. I was hoping for more of when/who/why it was developed, a description of its features and what makes it stand out, etc.

7.27.25

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting little book, full of information. Love this series!

[Sami · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a gorgeous little book, I loved it

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes me want to learn much more about typefaces.

[Lovemystarbucks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative book about type facing in general and fonts created by Berthold Wolpe in particular, with a spotlight on Albertus.

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's not quite minion pro, but I do have some renewed appreciation/awareness for this don't. I'll have to keep an eye out for it in the wild. Maybe produce some for my backyard.