Typography Superstars - A.M. Cassandre

A.M. Cassandre

A.M. Cassandre - ©Studio Harcou

  • Born Adolphe Jean-Marie Mouron in Kharkov, Ukraine on January 24th, 1901.
  • Moved to Paris, France in 1915.
  • Attended Ecole des Beaux-Arts very brieftly.
  • Enroll in Lucien Simon's Independent Studio and later at the Académie Julian. 
  • Began designing posters to earn a living as early as 1921.
  • Almost all these early works have been lost.

  • Cassandre's work was cubism and surrealism.  
  • His first work was known as 'Au Bucheron' and he began a series of these in 1923. They were for cabinet making.

Au Bûcheron
1923
  • He designed his first font in 1929 called Bifur.
Bifur font by A.M. Cassandra - 1929
  • Designed the font Acier in 1930, which was a black/grey sanserif type display. It was used in 1937 during World's Fair in Paris. 
Acier font by A.M. Cassandra - 1930

  • 1933 he began teaching at Ecole Nationale des Arts Decoratifs in the Graphic Advertising Studio. The studio, however, closed early due to funding.
  • Between 1934 and 1935 he was a teacher at Rue Ferou in Paris as a graphic art instructor.
  • In 1936 he signed a contract with Harper's Bazaar and began creating their magazine covers.



September 13th, 1935 Harper's Bazaar Cover by AM Cassandre

  • In 1937 he designed the typeface Peignot for the Deberny & Peignot type foundry.

Peignot 1937





  • Designed the typeface Cassandre during his final years but was not published until after his death.


Le Cassandre Font - 1968


  • Cassandre took his own life on June 17th, 1968.

Example of Bifur font on Nord Express








CONCLUSION:
My favorite type/font was the Bifur font. I enjoy anything Art Deco. How the geometric rounded shapes and vertical decorative line work looks is incredible.  I never knew he created the font Bifur and it's actually one of my favorite fonts that I've used on projects for friends when they want a Gatsby themed party invitation.  A lot of things I read credit A.M. Cassandre as the definition of the Art Deco period! Which I can see 100%.

FAMOUS WORK I LOVED:
My grandmother actually had a picture of this hanging in her house when I was younger. I never knew A.M. Cassandre created this. This was for a wine company (mmm wine) called Dubonnet. This is one of his most famous ads. The ad with the three images were actually designed for cars passing by quickly to where they could easily see and remember. 
Dubonnet Ad poster 1932

Dubo, Dubon, Dubonnet - 1932 momo.com




































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