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The Zapf’s Letter
January 6th, 2021
This letter from master Hermann Zapf (RIP) was a wonderful surprise, and still is now, looking back today, as I mark 15 years in typographic education.
It was given to me by friend and bibliophile Professor Corrado Mingardi. In 2005, I gave Mingardi a copy of a specimen of the typeface I later reworked into Sansepolcro. I did not know he had sent it to Zapf in one of their correspondences.
I was at the beginning of my teaching experience, had just moved to Turkey actually, and, needless to say, I was thrilled to read what Zapf wrote about me. I consider it a confirmation that what I did and am doing for my students is relevant and right for the discipline.
Zapf set his letter in Palatino on his letterhead and hand signed it.
Here is the full text of the letter:
§
6 January 2006
Dear Professore Mingardi
First of all the very best wishes from both of us for the whole year 2006.
We hope with more good news compared with 2005.
You send us such a wonderful book about the library of Leon Battista Alberti. A catalog of a special exhibition till tomorrow in the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana in Firenze. His treasures which he collected in his lifetime reflecting this outstanding personality. Beautiful calligraphic manuscripts are reproduced in this catalog, documents of Humanists written with discipline and love. You see the discrepancy to our time and you feel the loss of culture in our hectic daily life. Even the ordinary handwriting represents style and perfectness. Many many thanks to you for this great publication.
The other catalog “Napoleone & Bodoni” printed by Artegrafica Silva in Parma is of several interest to me. The illustrations of which many I had never seen and the superb quality of the printing. The spirit of Bodoni is documented in these pages and the printer can be very proud of his work. Such care is not self-evident anymore. A fine example of the Italian printing industry.
The type design of the Pacioli Titling by Alessandro Segalini I like very much in every detail. His combinations of ligatures shows his imagination and talent. It is good to know that such a person in teaching.
Many greetings from both of us,
HZ
§
More references:
HERMANN ZAPF 1918–2015 BY JÜRGEN SIEBERT
HERMANN ZAPF 1918–2015 BY ADAM TWARDOCH
