It is a common feature nowadays for type designers to create custom typefaces for corporate identity, logos, or newspapers. A less seen option seems to be making typefaces specifically for books/publishing houses. In Italy we've had the great example of the Garamond crafted in the 1950s by the Simoncini foundry for Einaudi publishing house (still the most used type in Italy's editorial market). More recently, type designer Luciano Perondi has designed a a Caslonesque custom face for the Mattioli 1885 edition:
And, even more recently, the same Perondi, a gifted Italian type designer, made another attempt with a Baskerville-inspired typeface for Voland, another Italian publishing house; this typeface will be officially launched tomorrow at the Turin bookfair, but I had the chance to see a copy of a new book set with it and, at a first glance, it indeed looks like a contemporary take on Baskerville. Here is a sample anyway:
Can someone else give more examples of custom typefaces made for publishing houses - meaning for setting long texts in novels, essays, poetry books and the likes?
And how do type designers consider being commissioned for a typeface meant for specific editorial (books) use?
