BOOK REVIEWS

While my library is far from complete, I do have nearly 200 books on calligraphy, lettering, and the book arts. I decided I would review a few of my favorites. All are old, and that fact did play a part in my choice as well. These are books worth having in your library too, even if it does mean looking for them.     These capsule reviews are meant to encourage you to go hunting for one, or more, if any sound interesting to you.     I have provided a small image of the cover, and a larger image if you want to see the cover in better detail. The information I have included about the book, publisher, size, isbn where available, etcetera, is to aid you in your search. I have also included a link to the publisher if I could find one.     No books were included which are meant for instruction specifically, there are just too many to choose from, and too many ways we learn. These are more for the real way we create - for the feelings we get when we see something which compels us to meditate in front of pristine sheets of paper until beads of blood form beautiful letters.     If you enjoy this section, let me know, I won't continue this if it is not enjoyed by others. If there is a specific question about a book - I don't have any more information than what I have given. You might consider sending your inquiry to the publisher or to a book search service. It seems as though many older calligraphy titles are available, and turn up easily using your choice of internet search engines. Use the exact title of the book for your search.     Got a book of some extraordinary interest, by all means let me know. If you are a publisher and have a book or magazine to review, also let me know, I might be inclined to include it here.

The Speedball Textbook - 23d Edition     A Comprehensive Guide to Pen and Brush Lettering     Speedball Art Products Company     ISBN 0-9631532-50     Copyright 1999    (the 22d Edition was in 1991)     Immediately - run - now! - don't wait - to your local art store, sign store. or wherever you can find this book, buy all the copies you can get your hands on, save them, give them away, whatever.     Well, it might not be that dramatic a situation - but … I am told that the Speedball Textbook - 23d Edition may be the last edition of a book originated by Ross F. George.     The company has been purchased from Hunt-Speedball and the new owners do not seem to be interested in getting a new edition out. If anyone knows any different - please let me know. The 23d Edition is still shown as available on their website. My local art store usually has a few copies so it indeed may survive. I recommend this as a first step for everyone interested in beautiful letters.     Older editions are not too much different but - I still look for old ones, and my oldest is from about 1942 I believe. I do have the first one I bought in 1962 or so. I have recommended this small 5 1/2" x 8 1/4", 96 page, magazine style book to every person who has ever ask for a recommendation for themselves, for their children, or to someone who is looking for an inexpensive gift for someone who simply likes letters. This is without a doubt the best value in lettering. Okay - superlatives over, let's move on.     This edition was edited by Joanne Fink and Judy Kastin, who have done an excellent job once again - it had been eight years since the previous edition. The addition of color really did elevate this to its' current super status. This little volume does an excellent job of introducing the artist to the nibs offered by Hunt-Speedball, the alphabets related to each of the nibs, and a little about layout and practice too. There are sections about history, tools, and materials, several alphabets, certificates, advertising, cards - and much, much more.     The inclusion of a contemporary art section and the numerous examples of a wide variety of calligraphers, sign artists, and lettering artists, make this a must have addition to every artists' library. There may be books out there which are better instruction manuals - but no other book matches the inspiration flowing from the pages of this little book.     The Speedball Art Company - http://www.speedballart.com

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Visible Language - Calligraphy Issue     Volume XVII Number 1 - Winter 1983     A special edition with a guest editor - Gunnlauger SE Briem - 6" x 9", paper, and a bit over 100 pages. Filled with an interesting mix of contributions from a variety of lettering artists.     This little volume covers a wide range of subjects and each artist has a pair of facing pages to play with. The artists range from the well-known to the unknown, and from many countries.     If you come across this little book, it is well worth adding to your collection.     There is an active website with the internet address of - http://www.id.iit.edu/visiblelanguage/Directory.html - you may want to check out. In the back order section - this is the only calligraphy special shown on what seems to be a very complete index of all issues since 1967.     I looked and, surprise, it  appears  as though this issue is still available from them for $5 plus $1.50 for shipping. Confirm this before ordering please. The following information was also shown. Check first.     Order Form by mail to:     Visible Language     Rhode Island School of Design     Graphic Design Department     2 College Street, Providence, RI  02903

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Sixty Alphabets     Selected and introduced by Gunnlauger SE Briem     Published by - Thames and Hudson - isbn 0-500-27414-2     Printed in Great Britain - Copyright 1986     7" x 10", 128 pages, paper.     Very similar overall to the special calligraphy issue of "Visible Language" - same editor, carry over of a good idea I am guessing.     Contributions by sixty artists, each with two facing pages to reveal something about themselves and their art.     Thames and Hudson website - http://www.thamesandhudson.co.uk     click on “Complete Catalog”

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Fine Print         A Review for the Arts of the Book - Focus on Calligraphy     Cover pictured is of   Volume 8   Number 4   October 1982     This was a quarterly magazine about all the book arts, not specifically on calligraphy - yet this issue did - focus on calligraphy.     The magazine itself is printed very nicely on a finer paper, rather than simply being about book arts.     Apparently this was a magazine that had been around for quite some time, so other issues may be available.

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Copyright © 2002 - Barry A. Kintner   Other Copyrights are held by their respective owners