A Grammar of Typography

“A born classic.”—Graphic Arts Collection, Princeton University The complete resource and guide to achieving classical type design with a keyboard and screen.

How do we absorb the lessons of the printing tradition’s hot metal past and bring them to the digital era? Distinguished designer Mark Argetsinger guides the reader through every aspect of modern book design and production — from the choosing the proper typeface and leading of type to the choice of paper and specifications for binding. Illustrated with over 425 images and diagrams, many in color, Argetsinger discusses and delineates typography as a discipline, situating it among other art forms. Two appendices cover the history of cast-type ornaments and of Greek typography. Throughout there is special reference to the historical printers’ grammars—from Moxon to De Vinne—that serve as a present-day apprenticeship in the traditions of classical typography. Whether a novice or an expert, readers will gain a deeper appreciation for text, and all its rules of form, that can make words on a page a joy to the eye.

In addition to the regular edition, there is a deluxe, slip-cased and signed, limited edition of Grammar of Typography. Only 123 copies were signed and numbered by the author and they are available now. This limited edition is sold exclusively by Godine to our customers — it is not available in stores.

Praise for A Grammar of Typography

“Argetsinger has created what will be considered the definitive work on the subject of the history and application of book design.”—Fine Books & Collections Magazine

“A born classic…. How can you not love a book with an introduction titled ‘The Hidden Soul of Harmony: The Classical Tradition. A Practice in Search of a Theory’? Although Argetsinger claims ‘this is primarily a practical manual, not a scholarly treatise,’ one would be hard-pressed to find a more philosophical look at ‘marks of quotation,’ ‘font editing,’ or ‘horizontal space.’…. Open it anywhere and start reading.”—Graphic Arts Collection, Princeton University