Elizabeth Friedlander was a pioneering typographer, calligrapher, and designer who worked with remarkable courage during particularly challenging times.

Born in Berlin, Friedlander studied design, calligraphy, and typography at the Academy of Fine Arts. She became a graphic designer for the prestigious magazine Die Dame, where she was responsible for title designs and layout compositions. Her exceptional sensitivity and graphic skill caught the attention of La Bauersche Giesserei (the predecessor of Bauer Types), which commissioned her to design a typeface—an unusual opportunity for a woman in that era. In 1938, her typeface “Elizabeth” was launched by La Bauersche Giesserei, marking a significant milestone in typographic history.

“Elizabeth typeface is one of the finest and most beautiful typefaces ever produced.” – Georg Hartmann

Georg Hartmann praised Elizabeth typeface as one of the finest and most beautiful ever created. It is particularly cherished by private presses and for printed materials requiring an elegant touch. The 1936 Penrose Annual celebrated Elizabeth as the most successful typeface of the year, calling it perhaps the most distinguished typeface to emerge from Germany since the death of Rudolf Koch. With its impeccable taste, the Elizabeth typeface stands as a testament to the highest standards of typographic design. Future publications from Germany will showcase that this typeface has joined the most exclusive of all typographic classifications: the exemplary text typeface.

In October 1936, due to Nazi regulations, she moved to Milan and worked for the publishing houses Mondadori and Editoriale Domus, designing book covers and advertisements. In 1939, she managed to relocate to London with a Domestic Service permit, which allowed her to work as a domestic employee. Shortly thereafter, she gained fame as an illustrator and designer.

In June 1948, she received a letter from Jan Tschichold, a consultant for Penguin Books. “I do not know if you are familiar with my name as a typeface designer, but I know your name. I love your Elizabeth, especially the italic. I would love for you to collaborate with Penguin Books.” Thus, she began designing covers for the publisher, quickly gaining prominence in the profession. She forged strong ties with Hans Peter Schmoller, Tschichold’s successor at Penguin Books, as well as with William Morris of Monotype, for whose company she created arabesques.

In 1961, she moved to Ireland, where she continued designing catalogs, calligraphy maps, bookplates, and the lettering for Irish proverbs on parchment. She passed away in Ireland in 1984.

In 2005, the Spanish designer and typographer Andreu Balius was commissioned by Bauer Types (the successor of Bauersche Giesserei) to digitize the Elizabeth typeface. “More than a digitization, it’s a revival,” says Andreu Balius.

“The original Elizabeth designs were created for movable type printing, which required extensive interpretative work. I had very little printed material to reference. Moreover, Friedlander’s designs varied with the type size, so I had to decide which formal elements to preserve and highlight to achieve an elegant and beautiful result. To stay true to Friedlander’s vision, I researched her life, her work, and her mentors. This deeper understanding allowed me to read the challenging aspects of her designs accurately. In the end, I was able to make informed decisions based on my understanding and judgment.”

Elizabeth ND features two styles: Roman and Italic, available in OpenType format. The Italic style includes a set of swash capitals that enhance its compositional versatility, making it an excellent choice for display and titles. Additionally, the discretionary ligatures add to the typeface’s ornamental character. Reflecting the era of its creation, Elizabeth ND includes the long “s” and its corresponding ligatures. With these features and its calligraphic influence, Elizabeth ND seamlessly combines elegance and beauty, making it an ideal display typeface for any project that requires a refined and classic touch.