Both typography, graphic design and the Ontwerpgroep van de "Staatsdrukkerij" - the later Sdu - owe much to Karel Treebus. Like so many of his contemporaries, the first batch of young designers immediately after 1945, he was virtually self-taught as a designer. Linguistic insight, organizational ability and perseverance, together with a pure sense of the essential meaning of typography were the talents with which he acquired an unshakeable position within and outside the company and thus became the linchpin of its unique Design Group. His modest drive and well-founded conviction also resulted in four successful trade books which, looking back some time from now, will prove to be of historical value.