Doves Type
Summary
Helen Zaltzman recounts the epic feud between Thomas Cobden Sanderson and Emery Walker, who co-founded the Doves Press. Their partnership dissolved over artistic control and financial strain, culminating in Thomas secretly drowning the entire Doves typeface in the River Thames over five months. The story explores their intense friendship, the legal battles that followed, and the eventual rediscovery of the metal letters by designer Robert Green.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Instagram teen safety and Dell Pro laptop
Sponsor: Acura and show introduction
Introduction to the story of the Doves Press feud
Meeting of Thomas and Emery and their early friendship
Backgrounds of Thomas Cobden-Sanderson and Emery Walker
Founding the Doves Press and the Doves Typeface
The aesthetic success and influence of Doves Press books
The breakdown of the partnership and friendship
The protracted nature of the breakup and continued proximity
Legal battles over custody of the Doves type
Thomas's decision to destroy the typeface
The logistics of throwing the type into the Thames
The five-month process of drowning the type
Aftermath: Thomas's death and the erasure of Emery
Post-death events: legal settlement and ashes in the river
Robert Green's attempt to recreate and recover the type
Recovery of type fragments and release of digital Doves
Sponsors: Air France, Principal, PNC Bank, and Quince
Interview with Helen Zaltzman on the live show creation
Credits and other podcast promotions
Listen ad-free on Castria