Böcker i Lettering, Calligraphy, Typography-serien

Facing the demand for new typefaces engendered by the development of the printing press, 15th-century type designers sought inspiration from the ornate calligraphy of medieval scribes. Many of the fonts in this gallery of Celtic and medieval alphabets resulted from 19th-century tributes to the scribes of the Middle Ages, suggesting the time-honored appeal of these unusual typefaces.Artists, illustrators, and anyone seeking unusual graphics for a variety of print projects will find within these pages a tremendous diversity of fonts in styles ranging from the Gothic weight of Lowenbrau, Kaiser, and Hansa to the lighter frills and flowers of Leipzig, Tory, and Hamburg. Most alphabets feature both uppercase and lowercase letters; many also include numerals.These inexpensive, royalty-free alphabets offer an exciting array of distinctive typefaces. Particularly suited for use in diplomas and certificates, they will add a touch of elegance to display ads, posters, signs, menus, and many other graphic or printed communications.

Considered by many the most beautiful book ever created, Ireland's Book of Kells is renowned for its glorious handwritten script, developed by monks and scribes in the sixth and seventh centuries A.D. One of the most distinctive features of the script is the triangular serif at the top of the letters. For many years, the derivation of the triangular form was a mystery to calligraphers.Now, in this remarkable new manual, noted calligrapher Arthur Baker reveals how the ancient scribes produced the distinctive triangular serif, an effect that can be traced back to the magnificent capitals of first-century Rome. This easy-to-follow book shows you how to achieve the same results; it is a complete stroke-by-stroke guide to creating each letter of the alphabet in the age-old Celtic manner. Crystal clear instructions also cover pens, inks, work surface, paper and lines, how to hold the pen, and more. An introduction by calligrapher William Hogarth outlines the background of the Kells script and Arthur Baker's contributions to clarifying its origins. Calligraphy, or the art of beautiful writing, is currently enjoying a resurgence of popularity among those who delight in the elegance and artistry of a fine hand. This new stroke-by-stroke manual, by a leading practitioner of the art, details the hand positions, techniques, and tools required to produce the half-uncial style, among the most beautiful and unique writing styles ever invented. Original Dover (1983) publication.

Ninety-one complete alphabets -- medieval to modern -- include 3,924 decorative initials, including Victorian novelty and Art Nouveau. These alphabets were obtained from rare, out-of-print books, generally available only in libraries or in the rare-book market. They were reproduced directly from the pages of a large and expensive collection that was made specifically for the production of this volume. Since they are direct reproductions, they will all reproduce again excellently.The book has been carefully arranged and annotated so that the students of letters and types may have a complete understanding of decorative alphabets and initials. The work is divided into three parts. Part One deals entirely with manuscript initials as they were used from the 8th to the 15th century. It includes Celtic initials, rare designs from the Bible of Charles the Bald, and incised letters from the monument of Richard II in Westminster Abbey. Part Two contains initials from printed books, starting with the 15th century and running through the 18th. Here are the fanciful creations of the 16th-century woodcutters: initials illustrated with children, cherubs, birds, beasts, flowers, legends, and grotesque heads. The works of the later engravers, writing, masters, and baroque and rococo designers follows in order. Part Three attempts to arrange the great weeds jungle of Victorian letters and types and concludes with the 20th-century alphabets such as the distinctive wood engravings of Edward Wadsworth. Each section has an historical introduction and each plate has a descriptive caption.

Developed by English handwriting masters in the 18th century, copperplate calligraphy is admired for its fluidity and beauty. It is the most popular style for social correspondence, invitations, and other communications requiring an elegant hand. In this practical manual, a noted calligraphy teacher offers a comprehensive, step-by-step guide for the student. Beginning with a brief but fascinating history of copperplate, she moves quickly to an in-depth examination of the alphabet, numbers, and punctuation. Each letter is demonstrated stroke by stroke with a clear explanation. Readers will also find detailed discussions of writing in color, using the proper paper, and learning how to retouch, correct, and crop. Ms. Winters then shows how copperplate can be used to write a simple paragraph, a short quotation, or poetry, and explains how to use the script commercially for addressing envelopes and writing name cards and invitations. With this easy-to-follow manual and some practice, calligraphers will be able to create copperplate scripts with the rhythm, grace, and ease of the great writing masters. Unabridged Dover (2000) republication of the edition published by Watson-Guptill, New York, 1989.