The Making of Armenian Typefaces: Identity, Modernity and Latinization

Author:   Dr Elena Papassissa ,  Bedross Der Matossian (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA)
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
ISBN:  

9780755657162


Pages:   352
Publication Date:   19 February 2026
Format:   Hardback
Availability:   Manufactured on demand   Availability explained


Our Price $170.00 Quantity:  
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The Making of Armenian Typefaces: Identity, Modernity and Latinization


Overview

For centuries, the Armenian script has been connected with national identity. As a small nation surrounded by and then incorporated into more powerful neighbouring empires, its written language was an important means of preserving its culture. As printing technology developed, the growth of the global Armenian diaspora based largely in the West in the nineteenth century and the emergence Soviet Armenia placed additional emphasis on the link between the written language and identity. This book is a history of Armenian text typefaces across different type-making technologies from their inception in movable type until the late twentieth century. It identifies the factors—technical limitations, typographic trends, Western culture, Armenian identity, readers’ preferences—that influenced the development of Armenian fonts by assessing the most significant Armenian typefaces in their historical, social, cultural and geographical context.

Full Product Details

Author:   Dr Elena Papassissa ,  Bedross Der Matossian (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA)
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint:   I.B. Tauris
ISBN:  

9780755657162


ISBN 10:   0755657160
Pages:   352
Publication Date:   19 February 2026
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  College/higher education ,  Professional & Vocational ,  Tertiary & Higher Education
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming
Availability:   Manufactured on demand   Availability explained

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. The establishment of the tradition of printed Armenian characters in early printing 2. From religious books to nationalistic publications 3. The spread of Bolorgir types through missionary and scholarly work 4. The beginning of the Latinization of the Armenian script 5. Aspects of Latinization in the nineteenth century 6. The spread of the new upright style in the Armenian Diaspora 7. The beginning of Armenian mechanical composition 8. The development of the first Monotype Armenian typefaces for hot metal composition, Series 638 9. Awetisean’s endeavours in Armenian type design 10. Transition to filmsetting 11. Conclusion Notes Bibliography Glossary

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Author Information

Elena Papassissa is Lecturer in Graphic Design at Oxford Brookes University, UK. She has previously taught graphic design and type design at the University of West London, UK, and Camberwell College of Arts at UAL, UK. She holds a PhD in Typography and Graphic Communication from the University of Reading, UK.

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