Reading list
Fountain pen books
A quietly maintained shelf — guides, calligraphy, ink, and the history of the hobby.
Calligraphy
Calligraphy
Learn and master the beautiful and varied art of Western calligraphy. This lavishly illustrated guide includes all the information you need to get started in calligraphy, as well as techniques for the more advanced artist, including using color, carving lettering in wood and stone, and creating abstract and ornamental…
Chinese Brushwork in Calligraphy and Painting
Comprehensive volume traces historical development of techniques and styles, analyzes aesthetic concepts, and provides information on materials, technical principles, and brush strokes.
Hermann Zapf & His Design Philosophy
Left-handed Calligraphy
Award-winning calligrapher's generously illustrated text offers full coverage of calligraphy for left-handed writers. Tools and materials, correct positioning, page layout, much more. 4 model alphabets.
Letters in Gold
The catalogue for an exhibit at the Museum and travelling to Los Angeles and Harvard through 1999. Presents 71 examples of calligraphy collected by the Turkish businessman and philanthropist, among them exquisitely illuminated Korans and prayer manuals, elegantly decorated albums, and large-scale decorative…
Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy
Practical guide teaches elegant 18th-century writing style. Each letterform demonstrated stroke by stroke with clear explanation. Write quotations, poems, invitations, more. Numerous black-and-white illus. Bibliography.
Medieval Calligraphy
Spirited history and comprehensive instruction manual covers 13 styles (ca. 4th–15th centuries). Excellent photographs; directions for duplicating medieval techniques with modern tools. "Vastly rewarding and illuminating." — American Artist.
Modern Calligraphy
Beautifully illustrated guide by the founder of Quill London abounds in tips, tricks, and techniques for beginners. Step-by-step approach covers materials, modern calligraphy letterforms, brush calligraphy, developing an individual style, and practical uses.
The Art of Calligraphy
First published in the UK in 1995, this lavishly illustrated guide provides historical information as well as practical instructions in lettering. Illustrates 26 different styles, including all major Latin-based scripts, such as Roman, Gothic, Renaissance and Copperplate. Includes a script reference chart, a glossary,…
The Calligrapher's Bible: 100 Complete Alphabets and How to Draw Them
The complete guide to calligraphy
This guide to calligraphy combines an exploration of calligraphic styles and traditions with extensive coverage of materials and techniques.
The speedball textbook: a comprehensive guide to pen and brush lettering
The Technique of Copperplate Calligraphy
A complete manual on the technique of writing with the pointed pen in roundhand, which is the American version of copperplate. You'll find detailed step-by-step instructions for executing the straight stroke and many other components.
Collecting
Fountain Pens
Transform your view of the handwritten word with this beautiful illustrated guide to the art of the fountain pen. In an intimate trim size perfect for giftgiving, Fountain Pens traces the history of the development of the pen from early reservoir systems to self-filling pens to modern reproductions. Lavishly…
Fountain Pens
History of the fountain pen and manufactorers / modern fountain pens and limited editions / guide for the maintenance of a fountain pen / stylo ou porte-plume réservoir / Füller oder Füllfederhalter.
Fountain Pens and Pencils
A collector's guide to fountain pens.
Fountain Pens of the World
The authoritative and comprehensive text features countries not previously covered in other books, a new chapter on limited editions, and a chapter on materials from 1833 to the present day which defines processes such as lacquering, guilloche engraving and plastic identification. The development of design and logos…
Fountain Pens Past and Present
This deluxe second edition has been expanded and reformatted to be almost one third larger than the first edition, a book that is already regarded as one of the most authoritative and entertaining books on the subject of pen collecting. Outlining eight major manufacturers and their classic model pens, the book is…
The Fountain Pen
From quills to metal nibs, The Fountain Pen Companion chronicles the history & development of pens & their mechanisms. An extensive directory provides information on over 300 of the most sought-after pens from the world's leading manufacturers.
Fountain Pens
The RichardsPens Guide to Fountain Pens
This book is an adjunct to the two excellent existing repair manuals, Marshall/Oldfield and Da Book. It contains material that is often very specific to a particular pen or type of pen, but much of its information can also be applied generally to other pens. Learn what is here, extrapolate from it, and apply your new…
Handwriting
Handwriting Manual
Classic introduction by expert calligrapher presents fundamentals behind every aspect of the art of penmanship, from equipment to best techniques. Many pages of demonstration scripts provide helpful accompaniment to clear instructions.
Italic Handwriting Series
The Missing Ink: The Lost Art of Handwriting
The loop of an "l," the chewed-on pen, letters tiny or expansive: what we've lost in the error of typing and texting When Philip Hensher realized that he didn't know what a close friend's handwriting looked like, he felt that something essential was missing from their friendship. It dawned on him that having abandoned…
Maintenance
Parker Service Manual
Repairing a fountain pen is not as simple as it seems. After learning the parts and mechanical characteristics of a pen through the directions in this service manual, one can quite easily remedy most ordinary complaints. Clear drawings and simple instructions are provided.
Pen History
The Chronicle of the Fountain Pen
A beautifully illustrated, well-researched presentation of the evolution of fountain pens, showing how political and social events influenced their designs, the trends in their evolution process, and competition, fights, and mergers among manufacturers. This guide shows more than 3000 fountain pens, in 606 full color…
Penmanship
An Elegant Hand
This work chronicles a period in American history when the ability to "write a good hand" was a key to prosperity. Henning reveals the lives and careers of some of the most important American penmen in history. With over 400 illustrations, An Elegant Hand offers an exciting and detailed view of the many styles of…
Spencerian Penmanship Practice Book: The Declaration of Independence: Example Sentences with Workbook Pages
Practice makes perfect!It's no secret that improving your Spencerian penmanship requires practice. Unfortunately, Platt Rogers Spencer published less than 30 Spencerian practice sentences. That's why this helpful workbook offers over 180 pages of all-new phrases and sentences for you to refine your lettering.Across…