Writing & Illuminating & Lettering

The Artistic Crafts Series of Technical Handbooks

by Edward Johnston, Edward Jonston

One of the founders of modern calligraphy, Edward Johnston regarded lettering, writing, and illuminating as not only desirable ends in themselves but also as practical avenues to mastery of typography, decoration, and design. In this classic, profusely illustrated guide, he distilled his expertise into a series of easy-to-follow lessons that will benefit any student of calligraphy, book design, or art.
Part I is devoted to writing and illuminating. Early chapters cover the fundamentals of acquiring a formal choosing paper, ink, and quills; holding the pen; spacing and planning a manuscript; and more. The author then turns to the techniques of producing a manuscript tools and materials, methods and proportions, margins, and other methods. Part II offers a detailed discussion of the qualities of good lettering, methods of construction and arrangement, spacing, proportion, and other matters. Two appendixes cover the uses of lettering in book bindings, wall inscriptions, monograms, and title pages as well as the techniques involved in lettering on metal, wood, and stone.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Design, Reference

464 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1906

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

The father of calligraphy as we know it. Of the numerous books I have on this subject this is by far the best: charming , straightforward, practical and brilliant . A super-essential volume for anyone interested in writing. Cutting and curing quills, pouncing paper, grinding ink , and, of course , creating beautiful letters.

[Kim from Hiraeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the quintessential tool box for the calligrapher. Covers the history of lettering, tools, practice, methodology, illumination, use of color as well as providing historical examples of classic works.

Highly recommended!

[Psientist]

Am actually reading the Gutenberg copy released in 2014¹. Originally published in 1906 this seems (to my as yet inexperienced eye) to be a good historical introduction to calligraphy. The Gutenberg edition is dated 2014 and based upon full original scans² available at the Internet Archive.

1. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/47089...
2. https://archive.org/details/writingil...

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un manuale come quelli che si facevano una volta, scritti da una persona che ama profondamente quello di cui scrive e che ha accumulato una forte competenza sulla base di ciò.

Ha delle parti molto utili per i font engineers/designers di oggi.

[Bert Piedmont's Book Sale Items]

different cover

[Dominic Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for a graphic designer. Fascinating and detailed treatise on practical calligraphy and the history of our alphabet. Filled with gems of knowledge from a man who taught Eric Gill.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

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