Spooky, Scary Halloween Typeface! Oh my!

Written By Linda Secondari
B, O, O made from Hoblbein's "Alphabet of Death" for spooky Halloween typography

I’ve been intrigued by the “Alphabet of Death” ever since I first discovered it in a history of Typography book. The typeface was composed by Hans Holbein the Younger between 1523 and 1525 and is the companion to his “The Dance of Death” created in the same period. Holbein was working out some issues obviously, amongst them plague — with which we can ALL identify, and the Reformation, which was taking root all around him. The artist was working in Basle at this time. Holbein's sympathies towards the Reformations' aims and ideas are evident in the illustrations.

The spooky initial caps are lessons on the brevity of life and the weakness of the flesh.

I think they are a perfect typographic meditation for Halloween, the spookiest of days!

 

The “BOO” letters:

B Two death-figures, a dog, and the pope.

O Death leading a terrified monk.

Q (modified to be a second O) Death is disguised as a monk with a nun following quietly along — in contrast to the monk.

Read more about this Holbein masterpiece.

Linda Secondari

I’ve spent more years than I care to mention honing my skills at preeminent academic publishers. As the Creative Director for both Oxford University Press and Columbia University Press, and Art Director for Russek Advertising (where clients included Shakespeare in the Park and John Leguizamo), I felt the call to take what I’d learned and what I’d done and start my own design studio (or studiolo).

Using intelligent design strategy and inspiring design solutions, I believe we can improve the world through better communication. I’ve been fortunate to do that for independent authors, major publishers, NGOs, educational institutions, nonprofits and think tanks. And while the industries might be varied, the one unifier is a desire to reach their audience and get their big ideas noticed.

Whether I’m cooking up a batch of puttanesca or helping an organization rethink their look, message and go-to-market strategy, I always strive to create an end result that wows.

My clients often remark how I interpret what they need from what they say and that I’m the calm voice of reason in their often frenetic industry. (must be all that meditating.)

If you have a project that could use some transformation, let’s turn the page together.

 

http://linda-secondari.squarespace.com/
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