Emulating Gutenberg with B-42 Type
A Lecture by Kitty Maryatt
Emulating Gutenberg with B-42 Type
A Lecture by Kitty Maryatt
July 19, 2008 2-4 pm at The International Printing Museum 315 Torrance Blvd.. Carson, CA 90745 Free admission but please RSVP to bookarts@printmuseum..org Download the PDF flyer at www.printmuseum.org
On July 19, 2008, the International Printing Museum will present a lecture by Kitty Maryatt, Director of the Scripps College Press, “Emulating Gutenberg with B-42 Type.” This lecture is sponsored by a generous grant for the Book Club of California. Founded in 1912, The Book Club is a non-profit organization of book lovers and collectors who have a special interest in Pacific Coast history, literature, and fine printing. Its chief aims are to further the interests of book collectors and scholars and to promote an understanding and
appreciation of fine books.
Ms. Maryatt will discuss her fascinating experiences hand setting a facsimile page of the Gutenberg Bible using Dale Guild Type Foundry’s B-42 type, a faithful re-cutting of the types of Johann Gutenberg, as seen in his monumental 42-line Bibla Sacra, ca. 1455 Production of this font required that 245 characters were drawn, cut and cast.
In her lecture, Ms. Maryatt provides an explanation of scribal practices used in medieval books to enhance an understanding of the abbreviations and ligatures in the font. She will also provide information and elaboration related to the printing press, the handmade paper and vellum used for the edition, the decoration and aspects of medieval bookbinding practices and bookselling.
In addition to the lecture and PowerPoint presentation, attendees will have opportunities to see one of the printed pages pieces and see some pieces of the Gutenberg type.