The Helvetica Book by Hideaki Otani, 2005 [Japanese Import]

The Helvetica Book by Hideaki Otani, 2005. MdN Corporation, Impress Communications, Tokyo, Japan. 5 x 8.5, 128 pages, Japanese text with traces of English and German scattered throughout. Excellent design by Hiroshi Sato.

A visual book dedicated to the wildly popular typeface Helvetica! With a Prologue and (4) chapters introducing Helvetica (Neue Haas Grotesque, Helvetica Families, Neue Helvetica) and its history, origins, and characteristics. With a brief history of the sans-serif, rivals to Helvetica, typeface terminology, the typeface Unica (designed as an improvement to Helvetica) and more. The last chapter features typography and graphic design reference books and sources from Japan and abroad.

Richly illustrated throughout with original sources, specimens and drawings. A colophon, design specifications, author profile and Afterword at the end. The first book on Helvetica published in Japan.

A fine glossy covered hardcover with the original publisher’s belly band (obi-band) and Japanese label on the back. Uncommon in the USA.