Johnston & Gill: Very British Types

With the support of the visionary Frank Pick at the London Underground, Edward Johnston (1872-1944) and Eric Gill (1882-1940) unwittingly developed two of the world’s most enduring typefaces--Johnston still stands as London’s primary ’wayfinding’ lettering, while Gill Sans is the type of choice within many public and private organizations across the UK today. Exploring for the first time the evolution and adoption of both the Johnston and Gill typefaces, this unique publication shows how each has had a profound impact on Britain’s visual language. Tracing the story of each typeface from inception to the present day, Mark Ovenden skilfully draws together a complex history that incorporates numerous strands including Johnston and Gill’s friendship and collaboration, the myriad of revisions to both designs and their enduring appeal among a range of clients over the last one hundred years. Including rarely seen imagery, this fascinating publication will be invaluable to specialists and enthusiasts alike.

Mark Ovenden is a freelance writer and journalist. His interest in the London Underground dates back to his school days when, as part of a project, he painted his own version of the iconic Beck-designed tube map. His previous books include London Underground by Design (2013) and Great Railway Maps of the World (2015). He lives in London.