Typography Tuesday
In 1943, German author Hermann Hesse (1877-1962) published his last full-length novel Das Glasperlenspiel (The Glass Bead Game). It includes his poem "Buchstaben" (Letters), which begins:
We now and then take pen in hand And make some marks on empty paper. Just what they say, all understand. It is a game with rules that matter.
In 1965, Kumm Verlag in Offenbach am Main published the poem in a limited edition of 200 copies. The edition includes these calligraphic alphabets in watercolor by German calligrapher and type designer Karlgeorg Hoefer (1914-2000). The text of the poem itself, which is not shown here, was set in Hoefer's Permanent san-serif typeface, first released by Ludwig & Mayer in 1962. The edition is signed by the calligrapher.
Our copy is from the collection of Grolier Club member Robert Elwell with his bookplate designed & printed by British designer and wood engraver Reynolds Stone.
View our other Typography Tuesday posts.
