Letters are things

Writing is a convention that organises certain signs – letters – within a system, giving them meaning. But first of all, letters are things that have a value in themselves linked to their form: it was Eric Gill who theorised this in 1936. The famous English typographer and engraver’s phrase is very famous among those who chew on lettering and the like. Luca Barcellona even hung it in his old studio, in full view in front of the drawing table, precisely so that he would never forget the importance of each letter he drew.