Designed by Hermann Zapf for the Berthold foundry phototypesetting system in 1976, Comenius Antiqua has characteristics that point to Zapf’s talents as a hand letterer, especially in the italics. Comenius Antiqua is named for the Czech theologian and educational reformer Jan Amos Comenius (1592-1670); among his many achievements, Comenius compiled the first illustrated children’s books, which, beginning in 1658, were widely used in Europe’s earliest public schools. As a text type, Comenius Antiqua holds an even color and doesn’t tire the eye. It has a large x-height, and plenty of personality for display uses as well.
