Astoria, Dutch Kills and Ravenswood. Three contiguous neighborhoods along the Queens waterfront across from Manhattan that have a mix of pre-1960s signage, churches with Art Deco lettering, lively graffiti, and funky vernacular. A perfect location for the next TDC lettering walk. These walks occur only twice a year and locations are never repeated. So, take … Read more
W.A. Dwiggins is best known for the typefaces he designed for Mergenthaler Linotype (now available through Monotype) and the books he designed for Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. However, when he was awarded the AIGA Gold Medal in 1929 it was for neither of those activities. It was for his work in advertising. The most important … Read more
Please join us on Thursday, February 19th, for a book signing and remarks by TDC members Paul Shaw, Linda Florio (the book's designer) and Scott-Martin Kosofsky (its producer). There are letterforms and then there are letterforms. But only one conquered a planet: the classical Roman capital. It is the greatest legacy of Rome and the … Read more
This lettering walk will take in several neighborhoods in the northern part of the Bronx, between the New York Botanical Garden and Westchester: Norwood, Williamsbridge, Wakefield and Woodlawn Heights. We may even stray into Mt. Vernon or Yonkers, if the weather is good and we are not too tired. These neighborhoods are rich in ethnic … Read more
This year the Legacy of Letters will consist of a letterpress workshop combined with cooking lessons. Both will take place at the Tipoteca Italiana Fondazione in Cornuda, just northwest of Venice, from July 9 to 16. The workshop—entitled Tipo Cibo Vino (Type Food Wine) will be led by Peter Kruty and Sayre Gaydos of Peter … Read more
This lettering walk will take in two working class neighborhoods of Queens: Elmhurst and Corona. Elmhurst can trace its history back to the Dutch village of Middenburgh, established in 1652. In the 20th century it became an enclave for Jewish and Italian immigrants, but now it is nearly as ethnically diverse as nearby Jackson Heights. … Read more
We return to Manhattan for the Legacy of Letters urban lettering walk this fall with an investigation of the Upper East Side from 59th Street to 96th Street. The area encompasses both Lenox Hill and Carnegie Hill, two largely residential neighborhoods. But there are numerous institutions from museums to private schools, libraries, churches and government … Read more
This year's Creative Week Urban Lettering Walk is co-sponsored by the Type Directors Club, The One Club, and Legacy of Letters. Design historian Paul Shaw will walk participants through the adjoining West Side neighborhoods of the Garment District and Chelsea between 42nd Street and 14th Street to see letters. The Garment District is an industrial … Read more
This walk will look at lettering in a former industrial/commercial section of Lower Manhattan that has been undergoing a rapid transformation into a residential neighborhood for the wealthy. It is a chance to see what still survives of the area's 19th century and early 20th century lettering before condoization scrubs everything clean. The tour will … Read more
TDC and Legacy of Letters are returning to Brooklyn for the first walk in the borough since 2015. This time the focus will be on a group of neighborhoods in the heart of Brooklyn bounded by Church Avenue, Ocean Parkway, King's Highway, and Utica Avenue: Flatbush, Ditmas Park, East Flatbush, Ocean Parkway, and Flatlands. It … Read more
