Manuale Calligraphicum ? Examples of Calligraphy by Students of Hermann Zapf

Of all his contributions to the graphic arts, Hermann Zapf’s (1918–2015) dedication to sharing his knowledge may be regarded as one of his most enduring achievements. And no institution benefited more from his generosity than Rochester Institute of Technology where, in 1979, he began to teach a series of summer classes in Advanced Calligraphy. The classes attracted an international group of accomplished graphic artists whose hours spent with Zapf became treasured memories. This new book – Manuale Calligraphicum – was conceived as a way to honor Hermann Zapf’s legacy at RIT by offering a select group of accomplished former students an opportunity to share, through their art, what those classes meant to them. The specifications for submissions were simple: design an original calligraphic alphabet or quotation that could be presented and formatted in the manner of Professor Zapf’s famous model book Feder und Stichel (1950) and printed letterpress to the very highest standards. The variety and quality of the work submitted has been extraordinary. The Cary Collection is proud to present this selection of 19 works from 15 calligraphers as their tribute to a master teacher and dear friend. Limited edition of 325 copies, designed by Jerry Kelly and letterpress printed on Hahnemühle paper by Bradley Hutchinson.

Jerry Kelly is an award winning designer, calligrapher, and printer working independently in New York City. Prior to establishing his own business in 1999, he was a designer/representative for The Stinehour Press and The Press of A. Colish. His articles on typography and calligraphy have been widely published in various books and journals, including Matrix, Fine Print, The AIGA Journal, Calligraphy Review, Bookways, and The Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America. He is a member of the Grolier Club, the Bund Deutsche Buchkunstler, The Typophiles, and the American Printing History Association. He received his BFA from Queens College, and he has studied with Hermann Zapf at the Rochester Institute of Technology.