On View
Circulation Gallery
Exhibition
A Century in the Making
Designed by
Clark, Sonya, American
Peng, Bo, Chinese
Manufactured by
Swamp Press, American
Subject of
Dove, Rita, American, born 1952
Date
2022
Medium
lead, tin and antimony alloy
Dimensions
H x W x D (2023.77.1a): 7/8 × 1/4 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 0.7 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1b): 7/8 × 3/16 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 0.5 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1c): 7/8 × 1/4 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 0.6 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1d): 7/8 × 9/16 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 1.4 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1e): 7/8 × 3/8 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 0.9 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1f): 7/8 × 3/8 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 0.9 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1g): 7/8 × 3/8 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 1 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1h): 7/8 × 1/4 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 0.6 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1i): 7/8 × 1/4 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 0.7 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1j): 7/8 × 5/16 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 0.7 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1k): 7/8 × 1/4 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 0.6 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1l): 7/8 × 3/16 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 0.4 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1m): 7/8 × 5/8 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 1.6 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1n): 7/8 × 1/4 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 0.6 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1o): 7/8 × 1/4 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 0.6 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1p): 7/8 × 3/16 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 0.5 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1q): 7/8 × 1/4 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 0.6 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1r): 7/8 × 1/4 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 0.7 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1s): 7/8 × 5/16 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 0.8 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1t): 7/8 × 5/16 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 0.8 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1u): 7/8 × 3/8 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 0.9 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1v): 7/8 × 1/4 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 0.6 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1w): 7/8 × 9/16 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 1.5 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1x): 7/8 × 5/16 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 0.8 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1y): 7/8 × 1/8 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 0.3 × 1.3 cm)
H x W x D (2023.77.1z): 7/8 × 3/8 × 1/2 in. (2.3 × 1 × 1.3 cm)
Description
A set of twenty-six characters for the Twist typeface designed by Sonya Clark. The abstract, curvilinear Twist typeface letters resemble loosely to tightly coiled curls of hair. Each piece of letterpress metal type (or hot type) has a rectangular body (or shank) cast with a lead, tin, and antimony alloy. At the printing end of the body is the Twist character, which prints when inked and pressed into paper. On the shoulder of each piece of type, at a lower level than the Twist character, is a small, capitalized, corresponding Roman typeface letter which allows easy identification of the Twist character. The identification mark does not print. The body has a nick near the bottom on one narrow edge and a groove cut into the bottom surface of the foot. The type is nestled side-by-side within four horizontal recesses inside the accompanying presentation box (2023.77.2). The font is arranged in alphabetical order, with A-F (2023.77.1a-f) in the top row, G-M (2023.77.1g-m) in the second row, N-U (2023.77.1n-u) in the third row, and V-Z (2023.77.1v-z) in the bottom row.
Place made
Northfield, Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America
Place purchased
Amherst, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Tools and Equipment
Type
typefaces
fonts (type composition equipment)
type
Topic
Craftsmanship
Design
Graphic design
Hair
Identity
Typography
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2023.77.1a-z
Restrictions & Rights
© Sonya Clark
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5e380bc62-c208-4efa-a9ff-acd5a06c804f

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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