type setting  typeface  appointments 
This monthís ëAustralian Printer of the Monthí goes to one of the first specialist typographers to be employed in the Australian advertising world. Alan Maclean was recruited by Arthur Smyth Advertising in 1960 specifically to enhance the quality of press and print on the BMC account. Alan then created a name for himself developing ëSimultypeí as a type layout aid that was marketed throughout Australia by Graphic Workshop before being sold world-wide as a Letraset product. He started collecting unusual and rare books on typography in his 20s and now, in retirement, plans to sell this part of his collection. ìI hope that I am able to pass on some of the experiences I have been fortunate to have,î says Alan. ìIíd like to see some philanthropic person or organisation that will make my collection available to all up-and-coming Typos.î

Amongst the gems of Alanís collection is a rare copy of Catulii, Tibulii et Propertii; (Opera) published in 1772. It was hand set in Baskervilleís newly cut transitional fount, and printed by Johannis (John) Baskerville at his press in Birminghamiae (Birmingham). It is 276 pages, hard cover with leathered boards.

ìI had the cover boards repaired in 1978,î says Alan. ìThis is just one symbol of a flood of fond memories I have for the industry.î

Alan says he was an eager young student, studying Publication Typography in the evenings at the Tech College in Ultimo. At that stage heíd just left Lyle Davis Advertising and was working at the W.E. Rodgers Agency (to become Rodgers Holland & Everingham) then simply RHE ñ ultimately to be absorbed into Leo Burnett along with Jackson Wain ñ but thatís another story. He then went back to Tech College.

ìMr Lennox was the teacher and Mrs Warde ñ to us an unknown woman from England ñ was to address the macho young turks; all would-be typographic designers and apprentice printers,î continues Alan. ìNoisy and restless we waited for Mrs Warde to be introduced. To our surprise, this diminutive, slightly rotund, very ëEnglishí woman began with a tirade on the Australian Immigration Department. Apparently on her arrival at Kingsford-Smith Airport she had been given a form to complete which described her as an alien. Being described as an alien was bad enough she said but to be called an alien in ëChelt. Bold Condensedí was the ultimate insult. The entire auditorium broke into gales of laughter and she had our undivided attention for the next 90 minutes.î

During the í50s the Sydney power-houses of advertising typesetting were Smith & Miles, Wallace & Knox, and Dalleys. But Alan says if you wanted top typographic quality you had to go to Craftsmen Typesetters up in Clarence Street, near the bridge. But getting a job accepted by Craftsmen was another thing according to Alan, you couldnít just walk in off the street. The company name said it all, ëCraftsmení managed by Les Apthorpe whom Alan calls a brilliant typographer.

Try, try again
ìI completed a markup in Garamond as I remember and I proudly walked across town to Clarence Street and handed in my copy,î says Alan. ìLes scanned it with a discerning eye and holding my MS between thumb-and-forefinger like a piece of disgusting garbage, handed it back to me across the counter with the suggestion that he might consider doing the job if the typographic design and spec was better. It took three attempts to get my first job accepted as I learned applied typographic design the hard way.î

Over the years Alan and Les became friends and Alan says Les gifted him with his personal desk reference of Monotype fonts on his retirement. Itís also included in Alanís current collection.
With stories like these itís no wonder that even in retirement Alan is Februaryís Australian Printer of the Month.