Monotype Foundation Formed
Monotype Imaging has established the Monotype Foundation, a non-profit company dedicated to the worldwide advancement of the typographic arts.
“The time is right to develop a vehicle to support the typographic community,” said Robert M. Givens, president and chief executive officer of Monotype Imaging Inc. “We formed the Monotype Foundation to fund a variety of typographic initiatives, such as educational scholarships and research programs.
The foundation is also a labour of love, one that involves connecting in a meaningful way with those who care most about type - graphic communicators, students, designers and type enthusiasts.”
The initial plan for raising funds is to create opportunities for the public to own pieces of typographic history, according to Allan Haley, director of words and letters at Monotype Imaging.
“We’ll be reproducing original type drawings from well-known designers as limited edition, collectible works of art. We’ll also be including signed companion pieces, created by some of today’s world-class designers and educators, to complement each historic piece.”
Eric Gill’s original drawing of the Gill Sans® Bold Extra Condensed typeface has been selected as the first limited edition print. Gill designed the typeface in 1937 for
The Monotype Corporation Ltd. near London.
The reproduction features the alphabet in both uppercase and lowercase letters along with numerals and punctuation marks. Gill’s corrections and pencil titling and initials are also visible, just as in the original drawing, which is stored in Monotype Imaging’s archives at the company’s U.K. office near London.
Each package will be offered at about £100 and will contain one limited edition print and the two companion pieces.
Proceeds will directly fund educational scholarships, research programs, seminars and projects focused on the typographic arts.
The foundation will also provide grants to educational institutions, libraries and museums dedicated to the typographic arts.
The first limited edition packages are expected to become available in May.
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