History of Graphic Design through Publications: THE TYPE SPECIMEN

Location: Z 250 R78 (Stacks)

Jacques-François Rosart, a Belgian punchcutter and typefounder, ran one of the two main typefounders in Brussels in the late 18th century.

He started out in Haarlem as a punchcutter In 1740 and published twelve type specimens in 1741, as well as 14 ornaments. From 1746 until 1752, he cut another thirteen different alphabets. He had a contract with Enschedé, where he made the gorgeous shaded capital face Rosart. He moved back to Brussels in 1759 where he ran his own foundry. He published books with specimens in 1752, 1761 and 1768. The Library has a facsimile of the 1768 edition.

Typefaces based on his work include McMurtrie Title (1922) and Vanity Fair Capitals (1923).