Frederick Douglass was born in a slave shack in Talbot County, Maryland, in either 1817 (the date he guessed) or 1818 (a date settled on later by historians) and went on to become a distinguished 19th century statesman, orator, and abolitionist leader known for his inspiring speeches and writings in support of social justice. Douglass happened also to have fine penmanship: he wrote swiftly and boldly in a handsome, somewhat condensed cursive. Douglass Pen is modeled chiefly after one of his written speeches recounting John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in 1859. The OpenType release has more than 800 glyphs—including scores of ligatures, alternative upper cases, inkblots, crossouts, and Eastern European characters.—Brian Willson, designer. Douglass Pen, US$39 at 3IP Type Foundry.
