Black Abolitionists by Benjamin Quarles
Black Abolitionists is a book by Benjamin A. Quarles (1904–1996), one of the foremost authorities on African-American history. It was first published by Oxford University Press in 1969, with a jacket designed by Ronald Clyne.
The heavy slab serif on the cover looks a lot like Photo-Lettering’s West Barnum (ca. 1967). In fact, it’s a similar face (and probably an imitation) named Sanders Black. Shown in Lettergraphics’ 1968 catalog, Sanders Black is differentiated from Dave West’s design by overall boxier shapes and a number of details, for example an unbracketed roof in t.
The more restrained slab used on the back is Ludlow’s Karnak Black Condensed. The author’s name on the inner flap, however, is set in caps from Memphis, followed by a synopsis in Futura.
On the interior pages, text is set in Monticello. This Linotype face was designed by Chauncey H. Griffith in 1946 as a recreation of “America’s first great typeface, Binny & Ronaldson’s Roman No. 1, cut about 1796 by Archibald Binny in Philadelphia.” – Mac McGrew. Monticello was specifically made for an edition of The Papers of Thomas Jefferson by Princeton University Press, and named after the primary plantation of the slave holder and third president of the United States. Chapter headings are set in Palatino Italic, with occasional swash caps, and roman numerals from Engravers Roman Bold. The latter also appears on the title page. The interior design is uncredited.
The Internet Archive has digitized copies of the book’s first edition from 1969 as well as of a reprint from 1970.
Book jacket with inner flaps.
Title page.
Contents.
Opening page from the first chapter.
Opening page from the second chapter.
