Adobe Caslon Pro italic ampersand designed in 1990 by Carol Twombly
for Adobe Systems Inc.

English gunsmith and typeface designer William Caslon (1692–1766) created the eponymous Caslon letterforms. For her Caslon revival, Twombly studied specimen pages printed between 1734 and 1770.

Prominent 18th-century printers favored the legible font, giving rise to the expression, “when in doubt, use Caslon.”

The typeface rose and fell in popularity during the 19th and 20th centuries but remained a staple. As technology advanced, the increase in uses for Caslon — from fine book printing to display advertising — led to inevitable variations, some more loyal than others to William Caslon’s original design.

Authors and bloggers call Caslon’s italic ampersand the “finest,” “sexiest,” “most beautiful,” and “favorite” of characters. Wherever it goes, it stirs our passions.