Johann Bämler

[2] Bämler is mentioned in Augsburgian city records from 1453 as a scribe and from 1477 as a printer.

He appears to have begun his career as an illuminator and calligrapher; a few illuminated manuscript pages and books decorated by calligraphy by his hand survive to this day (in the Free Library of Philadelphia, Bavarian State Library, Herzog August Library, Morgan Library & Museum and others).

[1] He probably learnt the art of print-making in the shop of Günther Zainer.

He based his typefaces on local cursive script, and they are considered to have contributed to the development of the Schwabacher.

[1] He belonged to the guild of painters, glassmakers, woodcut-makers and goldbeaters, and eventually reached a high position within the guild.