‘John Baskerville 1707–75 printer, publisher, typefounder, deist’ is a new public exhibition which presents the life, work and lasting legacy of Baskerville alongside some of the research that has been undertaken. The exhibition, which opened in the foyer at the Library of Birmingham on 8 March and runs until 22 May, coincides with the 250th anniversary of Baskerville’s death and is one of several events taking place across the city in his honour.
Aimed at both the public and schools the exhibition tells Baskerville’s story in seventeen frames. Firstly, they present Baskerville the man including his work as a writing master, headstone engraver and japanner; how he lived at his home at Easy Hill; and the hospitality he shared with his friends both at home and abroad. The exhibition then describes the processes Baskerville used to compose, print and bind his books. Baskerville the typeface is also introduced with explanations on how eighteenth-century typefaces were designed, made and used and how Baskerville’s typeface has been copied and reissued over the three-hundred years since it was first issued. Importantly, the exhibition shares Baskerville’s world view and his deist beliefs through a presentation of his extraordinary will, multiple inhumations and exhumations and how his memory has been handled since his death. Finally the exhibition highlights the research that has been undertaken by the Baskerville Society and the Small Performances research project.
The exhibition is a great opportunity to raise awareness amongst the wider community of the importance of one of Birmingham’s most famous sons and to disseminate our research to those who would not normally engage with our work.
The exhibition was funded by the Baskerville Society, the frames were designed by David Osbaldestin (Senior Lecturer at Birmingham City University) and the show curated by BA Art Business students at Birmingham City University