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Classification

Classification

Francis Thibaudeau’s typographic classification, from Manuel français de typographie moderne, F. Thibaudeau, 1924. Collection of Bibliothèque nationale de France .

With the many styles and designs of typefaces that exist, it can be difficult to describe, sort, or even find them in a catalog that isn’t familiar to the user.

Each writing system has its own typeface classification categories that best suit its nature and history. As aesthetic values differ from one culture to another, the same (or similar) style may not convey the same impression across different scripts, and one category considered a convention for one script is not always relevant to others.

Scan of the typographic classification table set by Francis Thibaudeau in 1924.
Scan of the typographic classification table set by Francis Thibaudeau in 1924.

For example, Latin typefaces have been sorted into multiple classification systems since the beginning of metal typesetting. Here are some of them:

  • Thibaudeau, by French typographer Francis Thibaudeau in 1921, with four categories: Elzévirs, Didots, Égyptiennes and Antiques;
  • Vox (or Vox-Thibaudeau), by French historian Maximilien Vox in 1954, who started with the Thibaudeau classification as a basis and added more to include in the additional styles from the typefaces from Deberny & Peignot type foundry’s library;
  • Vox-ATypI, with additional categories and subcategories by the ATypI (Association Typographique Internationale) from 1962 to 2021.

Today, classification systems vary from one type foundry to another, using more or less “standardized” terms better suited to their own catalog or the scripts covered. These boxes also help users find what they are looking for in a wide variety of choices. They are not rules to be followed to the letter. Imagination and creativity shouldn’t be confined!