THE DESIGNER-CRAFTSMAN SPEAKS: WRITINGS BY ROBERT HUNTER MIDDLETON

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Australia, Opifex, 2024, paperback

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Robert Hunter Middleton (1898-1985) was one of the most prolific American type designers of the twentieth century. He eventually claimed twenty-six original typefaces as his own designs, eight of them issued in series. The commercial and industrial context for this achievement is described in an earlier Opifex volume, Chicago Modernism & the Ludlow Typograph, also by Paul F. Gehl.

The Designer-Craftsman Speaks presents us with something deeper - Middleton's own thoughts abou the craft dimension of design. Its title reflects his conviction that the best design work was informed by centuries of craft tradition in creating letterforms and texts. In his view, typography, design, and craftsmanship were intimately related.

Most of Middleton's writings were occassional. This anthology offers the only substantial collection of his prose to date, including unpublished pieces - notes, memoranda, talks, lectures, drafts - and finally gives a voice to this influential designer half a century after the last of his typefaces appeared.

Accompanied by more than one hundred images, many not previously seen outside the archives of the Newberry Library - advertisements, historical material, type specimens, photographs, and examples of Middleton's own work.

Includes a personal reminiscence by Raymond Stanley Nelson, punchcutter and typefounder, to whom Middleton was friend and early mentor.

111 images, color throughout. Includes an Index.
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"During the two years Bob Middleton and I were acquainted, he helped me understand the challenges of type design as a profession. Drawings for my first text typeface were in progress. His design philosophy made an impression on me, and his rationale resonates today. Everything I learned from Bob, he imparted in conversations. Our talks covered only a few topics in this collection of his writings, so I was pleased to contemplate what he wrote before I knew him. Seeing connections is paramount when typographic characters must manifest common traits. Bob said the secret was to be aware of one word: Relationship. This compilation of RHM's texts has been well organized by Paul Gehl, whose research and scholarship shine. And, knowing Paul as I do, I expected no less."
- John Downer

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For more on the publisher, visit https://www.opifex.com.au.

Available in New Zealand and Australia from Opifex.

 

 

Australia: Opifex, 2024; 6 x 9 inches, paperback; 306 pages. ISBN 9780648680727. Book # 141363

 

View and purchase this title on our website here.