Graduale Romanum/Triplex Title Font
  • RomanticStringsRomanticStrings
    Posts: 340
    Has anyone noticed the subtle differences in the font on the top line versus bottom line of the Solesmes Graduales?
    The 'R's on the two lines are different (the bottom one extends below the baseline), and the 'E's in the Triplex title are completely different. What is happening here?

    Relatedly, the curve of the 'P' in the Triplex title does not connect, a la Garamond, but it isn't Garamond.
  • SalieriSalieri
    Posts: 3,177
    I will tell you that I am anxiously awaiting the day when my triplexes need to be re-bound so that I can get rid of this particular typographic aberration.

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    Thanked by 1Adam Wood
  • MarkThompson
    Posts: 768
    Swash (typography).
    Thanked by 1Adam Wood
  • RomanticStringsRomanticStrings
    Posts: 340
    So why does the bottom contain the swashes (and maybe that 'G'?) but not the top? Is it a matter of not interfering with text below text?
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,482
    BUT WHY SWASH THE E?
    Thanked by 1Salieri
  • Jacques PerrièreJacques Perrière
    Posts: 140
    The second E looks like a 3 as in tri-plex... just a guess.
    Thanked by 2Adam Wood Gavin
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,223
    Solesmes covers during the 1970s and '80s weren't consistent in their calligraphic lettering.

    On the cover of "Gregorian Missal", "Gregorian" appears in mixed case while "Missal" is fully capitalized.

    The epsilon-style "E" in "Triplex" appears again on the Offertoriale Triplex, but not on other covers where it might: "Liber Hymnarius", "Psalterium Monasticum", etc.

    The calligraphy stopped appearing on new Solesmes editions at least ten years ago. The 2005 Antiphonale Monasticum, volume I, has a typeset cover title.

    Thanked by 1Salieri
  • SalieriSalieri
    Posts: 3,177
    DEO GRACIAS, ALLELUYA, ALLELUYA.
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