Lost - Found - Gone

James Montalbano · August 30

A few months ago a bookshelf collapsed in my studio and a pile of its contents sat on the floor for months. Finally going though them I found all of these keepsakes and memorabilia from past type conferences. Starting with Type87, the first one I ever attended. For a moment or two I marvelled at how many I had, and how long it had been since I looked at any of them. At first I thought I should hold on to them, but then realized none of it was interesting or important to me anymore. So I threw it all away. I feel so much better now.

Mark Simonson · August 30

I haven't reached that point yet, but it's not as unimaginable as it once was.

John Hudson · August 30

I decided pretty early on that I was mostly uninterested in the ephemera of type conferences, and imposed pretty strict criteria on what I would keep. Most of the content of ‘goody bags’ ended up in the hotel bin rather than in my luggage.

Peter Bain · September 1

James Montalbano said:

....So I threw it all away. I feel so much better now.

Bookshelf collapses are bad, hoarding is not helpful. It's honest feedback that much typographic ephemera is wasted, especially on fellow type designers. And there is value in not being overly tied to the past. But for others, the opportunity to see and touch a bit of letter history, no matter how insignificant, can be inspiring without encouraging copying. Finding a place like a library or archive, or another visual designer, that might benefit from someone's relatively rare broadsides, catalogs, or even floppies or CDs, can be a generous donation towards the future.

James Montalbano · September 2

So using all of the old U&lc issues, piled high in the studio, as fireplace kindling is a bad idea?

Peter Bain · September 2

Should work fine. Whatever pleases most, it’s an individual’s choice. I might favor fishwrap or torn into strips for papier-mâché as suggestions if I hadn’t given mine mostly away.

James Montalbano · September 2

Thank you for your thoughtful suggestions. But too late. They have all been picked up by NYC Sanitation and are working their way through the recycling system.

Lost - Found - Gone

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