Typography - Everyman's Library

I will admit right up front, that while I sorta get it, I’m still not a 100% sure exactly what ‘typography’ means. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines typography as “the style, arrangement, or appearance of typeset matter.” Part of my hesitation with fully understanding it might even stem from being scared to even attempt to pronounce it.

Oh my, why are my shortcomings so long?!

But I know three things about Typograhy with regard to the Everyman's Collection:

1. In an interview of Everyman’s Library Publisher David Campbell in 2011 by the Scottish Review of Books – an interview I have references a lot on this website – Mr. Campbell, when asked “Who was your designer?” speaks highly of “a brilliant young designer from the Royal College of Art called Peter Willberg. I have an old friend who’s a professor there who recommended Peter.” So, there’s that HIGH PRAISE -  a pretty cool shout-out.
2. And I know that Peter B. Willberg is mentioned in a gazillion Everyman’s Librarys, on the front page, near the front, with all the important stuff - see the picture above – so….there’s that.
3. And finally, I know this – to which this website will surely attest: I am captivated by these modern Everyman’s Library books and think they are beautiful, erudite, and wonderful – to the point, well again, of trying to collect all 400 of their classics editions.

So, without further ado, I don’t totally have my hands around what exactly typography is just yet, but I know I love the font and the layout and the look of the pages and text of these books. 

The visual of all these things combined makes me want to be in the company of these books and along with the author's prose, propels me to turn their pages, one by one, from the beginning to the end.

I'd say that’s pretty important when it comes to reading.

So, to this Peter B. Willberg, I tip my hat to you.