Spooky, Scary Halloween Typeface! Oh my!

Written By Linda Secondari
B, O, O made from Hoblbein's "Alphabet of Death" for spooky Halloween typography

I’ve been intrigued by the “Alphabet of Death” ever since I first discovered it in a history of Typography book. The typeface was composed by Hans Holbein the Younger between 1523 and 1525 and is the companion to his “The Dance of Death” created in the same period. Holbein was working out some issues obviously, amongst them plague — with which we can ALL identify, and the Reformation, which was taking root all around him. The artist was working in Basle at this time. Holbein's sympathies towards the Reformations' aims and ideas are evident in the illustrations.

The spooky initial caps are lessons on the brevity of life and the weakness of the flesh.

I think they are a perfect typographic meditation for Halloween, the spookiest of days!

 

The “BOO” letters:

B Two death-figures, a dog, and the pope.

O Death leading a terrified monk.

Q (modified to be a second O) Death is disguised as a monk with a nun following quietly along — in contrast to the monk.

Read more about this Holbein masterpiece.

Linda Secondari

I’m Linda Secondari, founder of Studiolo Secondari and a publishing strategist with more than two decades of experience helping authors create books that resonate and find their audiences. I cut my teeth as an in-house Creative Director — most recently at Oxford University Press — where I partnered with editors, marketers, publishers, and authors to shape meaningful books and position them for real-world impact.

Those years taught me how books compete in a crowded marketplace: how they signal to readers, how they communicate value, and how they’re discovered. My work now centers on sharing that understanding with authors who want to produce books with clarity, intention, and a strong sense of where their place is.

I bring a blend of creative direction, editorial insight, and market strategy — all designed to help you approach your work with the mindset and confidence of a seasoned publishing professional.

http://linda-secondari.squarespace.com/
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