Vladimir by Julia May Jonas

Salter (2021) is the second release in Sharp Type’s ongoing series of explorations of 20th century book jacket calligraphy. Just like Ogg (2013, 2019), it’s informed by designs by Oscar Ogg (1909–1971). As its name suggests, it additionally takes cues from another big gun active in the same period, George Salter (1897–1967). Salter’s influence is particularly notable in the lowercase Italic construction. You can read more about the typeface design and the lettering that inspired it on Sharp Type’s website.

For Vladimir, the debut novel by Julia May Jonas, Rodrigo Corral used Salter Italic (with its oversized descending caps) for the title, and paired it with the Roman for the author’s name. Salter’s carefully crafted curves are contrasted with barely legible handwriting for “A Novel”. It’s satisfying to see a typeface with roots in book jacket calligraphy from New York come full circle on a book jacket design from New York!

Art direction by Alison Forner.