Medieval Calligraphy: Its History and Technique (Lettering, Calligraphy, Typography)

Drogin, Marc

ISBN 10: 0486261425 / ISBN 13: 9780486261423

Published by Dover Publications, 1989

About this Item

Minimal signs of wear. Seller Inventory # 3IIT5H001P77_ns

Bibliographic Details

Title: Medieval Calligraphy: Its History and ...

Publisher: Dover Publications

Publication Date: 1989

Binding: Soft cover

Condition: VeryGood

About this title

Synopsis:

Spirited history and comprehensive instruction manual covers 13 important writing styles (ca. 4th century thru 15th). Fascinating facts about Roman Rustic, Uncial, Carolingian Minuscule, Early Gothic, 8 other styles; all examples beautifully photographed. Detailed directions for duplicating medieval techniques with modern tools. 232 illustrations.

From the Back Cover:

"Vastly rewarding and illuminating."--American Artist
This comprehensive history and instruction manual contains, in one volume, thirteen significant medieval scripts, with a history of the evolution of the alphabets, and fascinating background material on the scribes, their world, and how writing styles changed over a thousand years. Moreover, it is the only modern book that provides clearly described, brilliantly photographed, and accurately reproduced examples of both major and minor hands along with explicit directions for writing them.
The author--a professional calligrapher of medieval styles, as well as illuminator, writer, and teacher--presents a spirited historical account of thirteen important writing styles developed from about the fourth century to the end of the fifteenth. These include Roman Rustic, Uncial, Carolingian Minuscule, Early Gothic, Luxeuil Minuscule, Gothic Littera Bastarda, and seven other distinctive hands. The text explains how and why different styles evolved, why certain devices, codes, and abbreviations were used, and how form and function interacted.
In addition to fascinating facts about the origin and development of medieval scripts, Medieval Calligraphy also shows you how to duplicate medieval techniques with modern writing tools. Thorough instructions and sharply detailed, full-page photographs of the original alphabets explain pen angles and stroke sequences for each letter and capital. By carefully studying and practicing the techniques described, calligraphers will be able to master some of history's most interesting and influential scripts. Mr. Drogin has rounded out the book with helpful lists of suppliers of tools and materials, American and European sources for facsimiles and books, calligraphic societies, a bibliography, index, and more.
Unabridged, corrected Dover (1989) republication of the edition published by Allanheld, Osmun & Co., Publishers, Inc., and Abner Schram, Ltd., Montclair, New Jersey, 1980.