Graveyards are specimens of fascinating lettering reflecting the kind of departed souls they commemorate. The diversity of humankind, the skill of stonemasons, and the fashions of the age are all beautifully mirrored in these inscriptions. Ivy and moss frame charming typographic works, lavish or modest resting places of remembrance. The lettering is usually simple, for the carver has only a short time to complete it — only a few days pass between death and burial. Thus orthogonal forms predominate, naturally suited to the chisel and the direction of its cuts. Our study focused on the simplest kinds, which might be described as a sort of geometric Art Nouveau in typography. These letterforms are perfectly suited for record sleeves, posters and visual identities.
