This book is now available for international licensing.
Book Title:
"The Bicentennial of Hong Kong Type: A Journey from Pioneer, to White Elephant, to Cultural Heritage"
This book is now available for international licensing.
Book Title:
"The Bicentennial of Hong Kong Type: A Journey from Pioneer, to White Elephant, to Cultural Heritage"
Embark on a journey spanning 200 years to explore the unique charm of "Hong Kong Type" and its cultural heritage. The Bicentennial of Hong Kong Type: A Journey from Pioneer, to White Elephant, to Cultural Heritage is more than just a book—it’s an ode to the craftsmanship, design artistry, and cultural identity of this treasured legacy.
Discover the Historical and Cultural Stories Behind the 200-Year-Old Movable Type "Hong Kong Type"
About
In the mid-19th century, around the same time as the development of Paris type and Berlin type, Hong Kong type earned the reputation of being the most elegant existing Chinese metal type. By the early 20th century, however, the type was dismissed by printers as an outdated “white elephant” and ultimately fell out of use. In 2020, the movable type was rediscovered as part of the region’s cultural heritage, becoming a tool for contemporary art creation through recasting, typesetting and research.
The Bicentennial of Hong Kong Type: A Journey from Pioneer, to White Elephant to Cultural Heritage elaborates on the development and history of Hong Kong type, originally created by missionaries to help spread the teachings of the Bible. The type served as a bridge for cultural exchange, documented the politics, economy, culture and livelihood of the late Qing period, and significantly impacted the development of printing technology in modern China.
Why This Book is Worth Reading:
A dedicated exploration of the history of "Hong Kong Type" and its impact on the Chinese-speaking world and East-West cultural exchange at the time.
Features over 100 rare photographs, illustrations, and historical materials.
Highlights the urgency of preserving this cultural heritage amid the challenges of modernization and cultural erasure.
Ideal for:
Typography and visual art enthusiasts.
Historians and cultural preservation advocates.
Readers interested in Hong Kong's rich cultural heritage and its global connections.
This book is now available for international licensing. Let’s work together to bring the story of Hong Kong typography to the world.
The Bicentennial of Hong Kong Type: A Journey from Pioneer, to White Elephant, to Cultural Heritage
This book is now available for international licensing. Let’s work together to bring the story of Hong Kong typography to the world.
This publication is funded by the third edition of “The Next Writer Publication Funding Scheme” (“Funding Scheme”). The Funding Scheme is organised by Hong Kong Publishing Federation and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency.
Acknowledgement:
Organiser: Hong Kong Publishing Federation
Sponsor: Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency
Disclaimer of “The Next Writer Publication Funding Scheme”:
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.
Contact
For licensing inquiries, please contact.