Counterpunch by Fred Smeijers

This book is a work of practical history, with much contemporary relevance, answering basic questions such, How to evaluate type or How type differs from writing.

Counterpunch is both an explanation of the sixteenth-century method of cutting metal type and an impassioned plea for contemporary designers to incorporate the lessons of history as a means of creating typography in our digital age. Smeijers sees the counterpunch technique as essential for ensuring the regularity of form, repeatability, and speed of production necessary for rational design. He traces the history of letterform design to discover how technique influenced the shape of type, whether the metal punches of the past or today’s computer-generated forms. Counterpunch is generously illustrated with drawings by the author, examples of early type specimens, and detailed photographs of punches.

Counterpunch comes out of the presently flourishing Dutch typographic culture. It is a high-quality flapped paperback, set in a typeface Renard, designed by Smeijers, and printed throughout in two colours.

These are last copies in print, available anywhere.