TDR

The Typographic Desk Reference, 2nd Edition

The Typographic Desk Reference, 2nd Ed.

A reference guide of typographic terms and classification with definitions of form and usage for Latin based writing systems. The TDR is an encyclopedia, listing countless entries on the typographic arts.

Available in Hardcover & Paperback

Order a Copy $25 / $45

or buy at Amazon

“… the pages are well designed, the typography uncomplicated and airy.”

I Love Typography

“The ultimate tool for
the type geek.”

Ellen Lupton

“A beautiful book, perfect as a little present.”

Erik Spiekermann

“… a fascinating peek into the mind of our art department.”

Monocle Magazine

“… this is a must have sitting on your desk
at all times.”

Jason Santa Maria

“This is a must buy for any lover of good logical design.”

Selectism

On the First Edition

The second edition – with a foreword by Erik Spiekermann – has over doubled in size, the specimens have been reclassified to modern standards, and the index (now 1/6 of the book) has been deeply cross referenced, allowing you to – among other things – find glyphs required for a particular language.

This edition goes further back into history for the simple reason that our making and using of type today is fundamentally based on the past. Read a little about type history and you’ll find we’ve actually done most of this stuff before. Read a little more and you’ll see into the future. [from the Introduction]

History

The second edition includes new historical information on letterpress printing, the business of composition, and type and printing tools of the past. Also included are current technologies such as OpenType and web fonts.

1 2 3

Geometry

Anatomy & Form now contains entries on paper and book sizes, including standards for sheets and fold counts, used to compare proportions or classify book construction.

1 2 3

Specimens

Includes a much improved scheme for classifying the TDR’s specimens which have grown to include more than 80 typefaces.

1 2 3

Glyphs

Listed with associated languages and Unicode code points, included are Latin-based glyphs and some extras such as chessmen, musical signs, and Isotype.

1 2 3

Super Organization

The reworked index allows the study of items in various contexts: from typographic rules (form vs physically handset) to finding the glyphs required for a particular language. Further Reading now includes places and software.

1 2 3

Sign up for Email Updates

Get news on the TDR. Your info will be safe and we’ll never send you spam.

Shipping Everywhere

Orders can be shipped to pretty much anywhere on earth.

Get Your Copy Now

or buy at Amazon

Textblock

Set continuously responsive type across any viewport.

Get Textblock

Type Anatomy Letterpress Print

We also made this hand printed reworking of the TDR’s anatomy diagram – printed four colors, offset & letterpress, in a limited edition of 333.

Get the Print

Written & Designed by Theo Rosendorf
Typeset in Atlanta, Georgia
Edited in New Castle, Delaware
Printed and bound by Sheridan Books in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Published by Oak Knoll

Cloth
368 pages
ISBN 978–1–58456–312–9
Printed on Sheridan 55# House White
Bound in Arrestox Gunny Sak
Ribbon Marker

Paperback
368 pages
ISBN 978–1–58456–311–2
Printed on Sheridan 55# House White
Smyth Sewn 10pt CIS
Scuff Resistant Matte Lamination

Website designed by Glyphic

v2.13.1