From: owner-scribes@castle.org (scribes digest) To: scribes-digest@castle.org Subject: scribes digest V7 #135 Reply-To: Sender: owner-scribes@castle.org Errors-To: owner-scribes@castle.org Precedence: bulk scribes digest Wednesday, June 19 2002 Volume 07 : Number 135 ======================================================================== To unsubscribe from this list, send email to with unsubscribe scribes-digets in the body of the message. Leave the subject line blank. Do not include any additional text. Re: [scribes]: L. Corneillson [scribes]: pet discussion on the scribes list Re: [scribes]: Going to KWH&Scribes Symposium? [scribes]: Best books for exemplars Re: [scribes]: Best books for exemplars Re: [scribes]: Best books for exemplars, part 2 Fwd: Re: [scribes]: Going to KWH&Scribes Symposium? [scribes]: KWHS Re: [scribes]: Best books for exemplars ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2002 07:49:36 -0700 (PDT) From: elyse boucher Subject: Re: [scribes]: L. Corneillson LOL! I have to agree with you; I made Miguel-san take my picture in there, LOL, in front of all the jars of pigments. LOL. Excellent place. :-) Merouda was in Heaven. :-) - --- Carolyn_Richardson@prosystemfx.com wrote: > I finally got the shipment of pigments that I bought > at L. Corneillson __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! - Official partner of 2002 FIFA World Cup http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com =================================================================== To unsubscribe from this list, send email to with a blank Subject: line and unsubscribe scribes in the body of the message. Do not include any additional text in the body. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2002 09:24:12 -0700 From: Lee Damon Subject: [scribes]: pet discussion on the scribes list Ok, looks like we've gone into a bit of an off-topic discussion. I hate to be the curmudgeon (well, ok, maybe I'm good at it or soemthing), but I'd really appreciate it if we could discontinue the non-scribal-related pet discussion. thanks, CT/nomad ----------- - Lee "nomad" Damon - \ play: nomad@castle.org or castle!nomad \ work: nomad@ee.washington.edu \ /\ Seneschal, Castle PAUS. / \ "Celebrate Diversity" / \ =================================================================== To unsubscribe from this list, send email to with a blank Subject: line and unsubscribe scribes in the body of the message. Do not include any additional text in the body. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2002 10:32:08 -0700 (PDT) From: Hillary Greenslade Subject: Re: [scribes]: Going to KWH&Scribes Symposium? - --- Cindy Baker wrote: > Yes, I am planning to attend. I'll be selling scribal supplies in the > merchant area, next to Free Trumpet Press West. Hopefully, I'll have time to attend a couple classes as well as visit with all the other scribes! I attended the last Heraldic Symposium and had a lovely time. I highly recommend the experience. > Ellen of the Scholars > Middle Kingdom > I'm so jealous, I had wanted to go this year to Florida. It would be one of my 'scribal dreams' to see the scribes of the knowne world begin to support this event in a big way, so we can see more of the wonderful artwork out there, and share the knowledge through classes, essentially making Knowne World Heraldic Symposium (KWHSS) our yearly pilgrimage for the best of the best. I see so many wonderful classes listed at Pennsic but that is a good 35 hrs away, but with the KWHSS traveling around the country it makes it possible to tap into the excellent resources from so many folks that never make it to Pennsic. So, next year, I'm going to get my airticket early, and you'll see me at KWHSS ... maybe even teaching a class. For those still able to attend, check out their website at: http://www.kwhs.org/ The class schedule looks very impressive. I hope to purchase a copy of the Proceedings, from Free Trumpet Press (http://sca.org/heraldry/ftpw/) afterwards, as several of the articles yearly, are on scribal topics as well as heraldry. Cheers, Mistress Hillary Greenslade, Ansteorra __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! - Official partner of 2002 FIFA World Cup http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com =================================================================== To unsubscribe from this list, send email to with a blank Subject: line and unsubscribe scribes in the body of the message. Do not include any additional text in the body. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2002 15:10:28 -0400 From: "K. Z." Subject: [scribes]: Best books for exemplars Greetings I found this page while searching for exemplar books online. Could someone give me feedback on any of these books. Or give me a list of books they think are good for newcomers to the scribal arts for reference. Thank you, Collys AEthelmearc Blackstone Mnt. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0807612200/bellssymbo/102-7466446-6228132 Only a Pirates life for me. Mutiny is only a difference in opinions. Terra Marique Potens (Powerful by land and sea). _________________________________________________________________ Join the world’s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com =================================================================== To unsubscribe from this list, send email to with a blank Subject: line and unsubscribe scribes in the body of the message. Do not include any additional text in the body. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2002 15:27:40 -0400 From: Della Hutchison Subject: Re: [scribes]: Best books for exemplars Collys wrote: >Or give me a list of books they think are good for newcomers to the >scribal arts for reference. Following are five calligraphy books I refer to most often, along with a few "honorable mentions." Books suitable for beginners are listed first; those more likely to appeal to experienced calligraphers follow. (I'll send my top 5 illumination books in the next message.) These books are all still in print. Prices listed are the suggested retail price; you may find them for less. Suppliers are listed in parentheses at the end of the bibliographic information; they include Amazon (A), John Neal Booksellers (JNB), and Paper & Ink Books (P&I). Contact information for the suppliers can be found at the end of the article. Please feel free to contact me at hutchnsn@bucknell.edu if you have questions about the books I mentioned, books I omitted, or calligraphy in general! Note that this list was compiled December 2000, so some of the prices might not be up-to-date. Yours, Mistress Alicia Langland Æthelmearc Alicia's Choice: Calligraphy Books Drogin, Marc. Medieval Calligraphy, Its History and Techniques. Dover Publications, Inc., (1980), 1989. 224 pages. Paper, $12.95. (A, P&I) This book is often referred to as "the calligraphy Bible for scribes." It includes sections on history as well as techniques. In the latter, Drogin gives "how-to" instructions for 12 writing styles, including capital letters, all suitable for SCA use. In addition to providing historical background for each script, he includes black-and-white photographs illustrating each style. One nice feature of Drogin's work is that he provides a letter-by-letter transcription of the scripts illustrated, so you know what letters you're looking at. (It's not always easy to tell!) This is an excellent book for beginners. Because it is published by Dover, this book is widely available. Harris, David. The Art of Calligraphy, a practical guide to the skills and techniques. New York: DK Publishing, Inc., 1995. 128 pp. Hardcover, $24.95. (A, JNB, P&I) If you are just starting your scribal library and you can only afford to buy one book on this list, buy this one. With more than 20 historical hands (ranging from rustic to italic), it covers the entire SCA timeframe -- and then some. For each hand, Harris provides background information and color images from period manuscripts. I really like how the "how-to" instructions are shown in different colors of transparent ink; this clearly shows the individual strokes and their sequence. Color photographs illustrate a variety of techniques and tools. Really useful features include: a Script Timeline that illustrates, using chronological order, how scripts developed into later hands; a Script Reference Chart (Can't remember the difference between a Half Uncial "g" and an Insular Majuscule "G'? Look here!); and a two-page glossary. This book is well-suited for beginner as well as intermediate calligraphers. Knight, Stan. Historical Scripts From Classical Times to the Renaissance. New Castle, DE: Oak Knoll Press, (1984), 1998. 112 pages. Hardcover, $39.95. (A/special order, P&I) Examples of 46 styles of calligraphy, most of which are suitable for SCA use, are shown in this book. For each style, Knight provides 3 stages of "zoom" for a single page. The full-page reproduction (including the pages' full margins) allows us to see how the script looks as a whole. An enlargement from each page allows us to glimpse individual scribe's techniques. An actual-size line from each page enables us to match the exact size of the nib, should we wish to reproduce that script. In the text, Knight describes each style, pointing out details and characteristics of the script, thereby teaching us what to look for in each script. He provides background information for the manuscripts as well. The book also includes a two-page glossary and an extensive bibliography. Note: This book does NOT include "how-to" instructions. Brown, Michelle P. And Patricia Lovett. The Historical Source Book for Scribes. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1999. 128 pp. Hardcover, $29.95 (A, P&I) This book not only shows you how to look at medieval calligraphy but also how to reproduce it. The book begins with a chapter on tools and materials. Following that are chapters on 14 different scripts. In these, sections containing historical background (written by Brown) alternate with sections analyzing the different scripts (written by Lovett). The text is illustrated with black-and-white as well as color photographs of period manuscripts. Enlarged photos with accompanying notes are used to illustrate the scribes' techniques. Lovett provides a ductus for each of the 14 scripts as well as illustrations demonstrating various techniques. It contains a brief bibliography. This is an excellent choice for a calligrapher who wants to learn how to make his work look "more medieval." Brown, Michelle P. A Guide to Western Historical Scripts from Antiquity to 1600. Toronto and Buffalo: University of Toronto Press, (1990, 1993) 1999. 138 pp. Paper, $27.50 (A/back order) Looking for an example of Visigothic Miniscule? Merovingian Uncial? Lettre Bourguignonne? This book has photos of over 50 different scripts, so chances are you'll find whatever you're looking for -- and more -- here. Chapter notes give historical background for the hand, including the kinds of documents it was used for, when and where it was used, and distinctive features. For each photograph, Brown provides background information about the manuscript: size of page, title, of the text, where it was produced and when, previous owners, and present location. She briefly describes technical details about each script along with production techniques. She also transcribes part of the text and includes notes about decoration, abbreviations, and corrections. Other useful sections include a brief glossary, a four-page bibliography, and an appendix of common abbreviations. This book is very dense with paleography terms; beginning calligraphers might be overwhelmed by the technical jargon. Honorable Mentions Aris, Rutherford. Explicatio Formarum Litterarum (The Unfolding of Letterforms, From the First Century to the Fifteenth). The Calligraphy Connection, 1990. 50 pages plus 23 foldout plates. Hardcover, $35.00. (JNB) This book is a treasure trove of calligraphy examples from the first to the fifteenth century. It uses an usual format of foldout pages headed by a timeline of historical events. Short essays on styles and practices describe the evolving nature of calligraphy during this time period. Neat stuff includes indexes of named scribes, patrons, and places of origins. Unfortunately, the photo quality of the reproductions is somewhat grainy, which is why this book is not on my "top five" list. (John Neal Booksellers is running a special on this book, which makes me worry that it may soon become unavailable.) Brown, Michelle P. Understanding Illuminated Manuscripts: A Guide to Technical Terms. Malibu, California: J. Paul Getty Museum and The British Library, 1994. 112 pages. Paper, $14.95. Color plates and detailed definitions arranged alphabetically make this a useful addition to any scribe's library. I constantly find myself pulling this one off the shelf. Rivers-Kennedy, Betsy. Insights into left-handed calligraphy. Norfolk, VA: Teagle & Little, Inc., 1991. 32 pages. Paper, $6.95. (P&I) This brief pamphlet covers four methods of writing: The Right-Handed Influence, The Sideways Approach, The Hook, and The Upside-Down Method. Rivers suggests that lefties try one of these to find one that suits their writing style. I've had a number of left-handed students tell me that this book was just what they needed. If you're a calligraphy teacher or a sinister scribe, this book belongs on your shelf. Suppliers: Amazon: www.amazon.com John Neal Booksellers: 800-369-9598 or http://www.JohnNealBooks.com/ Paper & Ink Books: 800-736-7772 or www.paperinkbooks.com (Their website is outdated, but they're working on it.) =================================================================== To unsubscribe from this list, send email to with a blank Subject: line and unsubscribe scribes in the body of the message. Do not include any additional text in the body. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2002 15:31:21 -0400 From: Della Hutchison Subject: Re: [scribes]: Best books for exemplars, part 2 Collys wrote: >Or give me a list of books they think are good for newcomers to the >scribal arts for reference. Following are five illumination books I refer to most often, along with a few "honorable mentions." Books suitable for beginners are listed first; those more likely to appeal to experienced scribes follow. These books are all still in print. Prices listed are the suggested retail price; you may find them for less. Suppliers are listed in parentheses at the end of the bibliographic information; they include Amazon (A), John Neal Booksellers (JNB), and Paper & Ink Books (P&I). Please feel free to contact me at hutchnsn@bucknell.edu if you have questions about the books I mentioned, books I omitted, or illumination in general! Note that this list was compiled December 2000, so some of the prices might not be up-to-date. Yours, Mistress Alicia Langland Æthelmearc Alicia's Choice: Illumination Books Seligman, Patricia, and Timothy Noad. The Illuminated Alphabet. Philadelphia: Running Press, 1994. ISBN 1561384585. 160 pages. Hardcover, $24.95. (P&I) For a beginning scribe living far from more experienced scribes, this book is a godsend. It begins with a chapter on The History of Illumination; this provides a good chronological overview of how the styles changed over time. The chapter on Materials and Techniques covers period as well as modern information. The chapters that follow are based on different styles of illumination: Celtic, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Modern Revival. (All but the last style are suitable for SCA use.) Each of these chapters contains projects based on historical examples. A color copy of the original is followed by instructions, accompanied by step-by-step color photographs, for creating your own illuminated letter. The list of materials and tools needed for each project is very helpful. Note that the first several projects are done with modern materials, while later projects use more period ones. In addition, sketchbook pages offer further ideas as well as hints and tips. Examples of calligraphy suitable for use with that style are provided as well. Each chapter ends with a gallery of color photographs from even more manuscripts. Note: Amazon lists this book as out of print; if this is one you'd like to add to your own bookshelf, I'd suggest you contact Paper & Ink Books soon! Brown, Michelle P. Understanding Illuminated Manuscripts: A Guide to Technical Terms. Malibu, California: J. Paul Getty Museum and The British Library, 1994. ISBN: 0892362170. 112 pages. Paper, $14.95. (A) Every illuminator needs a copy of this book. Period. You will find yourself referring to it often; I know I do. When I can't remember the difference between a benedictional and a breviary (which happens a lot!), this is the book I turn to. Even when I don't have a specific question that needs answering, I enjoy browsing through its pages; the clearly-written definitions with frequent cross-references make for a fun treasure hunt. With its many gorgeous color photos, it definitely has a lot of bang for the buck! Angel, Marie. Painting for Calligraphers. Woodstock, New York: Overlook Press, 1997 (reissue). ISBN: 0879518049. 128 pages. Hardcover, $35.00 (A/out of stock, JNB, P&I) This book is both beautiful and instructive. Angel uses color photographs of period illumination as well as her own work to illustrate the techniques she discusses, such as color theory and design. She also covers materials, pigments, and painting with different media. Beginning scribes may not find her chapter on Heraldry as much help as they need, but it is still worth a look. She ends with a chapter of hints by nine modern scribes. De Hamel, Christopher. A History of Illuminated Manuscripts. London: Phaidon Press Ltd., 1997 (2nd edition). ISBN: 0714834521. 272 pages. Paperback, $29.95. (A, JNB, P&I) In its 8 chapters, this book covers manuscripts produced from the 7th century through the 16th, organized according to the kinds of people they were made for: missionaries, emperors, monks, students, aristocrats, everybody, priests, and collectors. Illustrated with 250 photographs (more than half in color) from period manuscripts, this book is filled with countless ideas for scrolls. The book ends with a 6-page bibliography (organized by chapter!), an index of manuscripts, and a general index. Alexander, Jonathan J. G. Alexander. Medieval Illuminators and Their Methods of Work. New Haven: Yale Univ. Press, 1994. ISBN: 0300060734. 208 pages. Paperback, $30.00. (A, JNB, P&I) At some point in their careers, most scribes start to wonder how our medieval counterparts created those beautiful manuscripts we use for inspiration; this book holds the answers -- or at least a good many of them. In his first chapter, Alexander addresses the sources of information for those answers. His second chapter covers technical aspects of illumination -- great if you're documenting a scribal entry in an A&S competition! His third chapter deals with the interaction between calligraphers and illuminators who collaborated on manuscripts; this gives us an interesting glimpse of how our scribal forefathers dealt with a situation we sometimes are faced with. His last three chapters describe illuminators at work: in the early Middle Ages, the 12th and 13th centuries, and the 14th and 15th centuries. Following the text is an extensive (28 pages) section of notes. In one appendix, he provides the text (in both English and its original language) of 8 contracts for illumination, including one apprenticing an 18 year-old clerk to a Master illuminator of books. The book ends with a 17-page bibliography, a list of manuscripts cited, a subject index, and an index of names. Honorable Mentions Thompson, Daniel V., Jr, trans. The Craftsman's Handbook, The Italian "Il Libro dell' Arte" by Cennino d'Andrea Cennini. New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1978. ISBN: 048620054X. 142 pages. Paperback, $6.95. (A) This is a 15th-century Italian "how-to" guide to everything you need to know about drawing, from quill-cutting to making your own tracing paper and charcoal, as well as painting, including tips on mixing pigments and how to keep moths away from your miniver (squirrel) tails. It also covers fresco and panel painting along with hints for other arts: glass, mosaics, and casting. Anything by Janet Backhouse. Really. Amazon lists 7 available titles, all under $20. She has opened up the British Library to those of us who are unable to go there in person. No matter whether she focuses on a single manuscript or surveys the library's collection, every book is filled with detailed yet easy-to-read information. Books published by George Braziller; you'll know them by their "gold" covers. These inexpensive yet beautiful books were the core of many scribes' library. Unfortunately, they are getting harder and harder to find. If you find a copy in a used bookstore, buy it; if you don't want it, a scribe you know will. Finally, just for fun.... Robertson, Bruce. Marguerite Makes a Book. Malibu, California: J. Paul Getty Museum Publications, 1999. ISBN: 089236372X. 44 pages. Hardcover, $18.95. (A) When her father falls ill and is unable to complete the manuscript commissioned by a great lord, Marguerite is determined to finish it for him. She goes on a shopping expedition through the streets of medieval Paris for the supplies she needs and then proceeds to use the skills she's learned by watching and helping her father. This children's book (reading level ages 9-12) would make a perfect gift for a budding young scribe -- or to older scribe who sets up displays at demos or gives talks at schools. Suppliers: Amazon: www.amazon.com John Neal Booksellers: 800-369-9598 or http://www.JohnNealBooks.com/ Paper & Ink Books: 800-736-7772 or www.paperinkbooks.com (Their website is outdated, but they're working on it.) =================================================================== To unsubscribe from this list, send email to with a blank Subject: line and unsubscribe scribes in the body of the message. Do not include any additional text in the body. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2002 15:52:38 -0400 From: "K. Z." Subject: Fwd: Re: [scribes]: Going to KWH&Scribes Symposium? I would love to attend the KWH & Scribes Symposium. We winter in the lovely Kingdom of Trimaris. Every spring we return to our homelands of AEthelmearc. I wish it was in the winter. :) Please fill us in on anything new or exciting you learn or see there. Hope everyone attending has a wonderful and educational time. Collys >From: Hillary Greenslade >To: Subject: Re: [scribes]: Going to KWH&Scribes Symposium? >Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2002 10:32:08 -0700 (PDT) > > >--- Cindy Baker wrote: > > Yes, I am planning to attend. I'll be selling scribal supplies in the > > merchant area, next to Free Trumpet Press West. Hopefully, I'll have >time >to attend a couple classes as well as visit with all the other scribes! I >attended the last Heraldic Symposium and had a lovely time. I highly >recommend the experience. > > Ellen of the Scholars > > Middle Kingdom > > >I'm so jealous, I had wanted to go this year to Florida. It would be one of >my 'scribal dreams' to see the scribes of the knowne world begin to support >this event in a big way, so we can see more of the wonderful artwork out >there, and share the knowledge through classes, essentially making Knowne >World Heraldic Symposium (KWHSS) our yearly pilgrimage for the best of the >best. > >I see so many wonderful classes listed at Pennsic but that is a good 35 hrs >away, but with the KWHSS traveling around the country it makes it possible >to tap into the excellent resources from so many folks that never make it >to >Pennsic. So, next year, I'm going to get my airticket early, and you'll >see >me at KWHSS ... maybe even teaching a class. > >For those still able to attend, check out their website at: >http://www.kwhs.org/ The class schedule looks very impressive. >I hope to purchase a copy of the Proceedings, from Free Trumpet Press >(http://sca.org/heraldry/ftpw/) afterwards, as several of the articles >yearly, are on scribal topics as well as heraldry. >Cheers, Mistress Hillary Greenslade, Ansteorra > > > > > >__________________________________________________ >Do You Yahoo!? >Yahoo! - Official partner of 2002 FIFA World Cup >http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com >=================================================================== >To unsubscribe from this list, send email to >with a blank Subject: line and >unsubscribe scribes >in the body of the message. Do not include any additional text in >the body. > Only a Pirates life for me. Mutiny is only a difference in opinions. Terra Marique Potens (Powerful by land and sea). _________________________________________________________________ Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com =================================================================== To unsubscribe from this list, send email to with a blank Subject: line and unsubscribe scribes in the body of the message. Do not include any additional text in the body. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2002 15:29:17 -0500 From: Cindy Baker Subject: [scribes]: KWHS I also highly recommend the proceedings. They should have some interesting stuff from the classes if you can get hold of a copy. Past proceedings are available from the Free Trumpet Press web site: http://sca.org/heraldry/ftpw/ Ellen of the Scholars At 03:52 PM 6/19/2002 -0400, K. Z. wrote: >I would love to attend the KWH & Scribes Symposium. We winter in the >lovely Kingdom of Trimaris. Every spring we return to our homelands of >AEthelmearc. I wish it was in the winter. :) Please fill us in on anything >new or exciting you learn or see there. >Hope everyone attending has a wonderful and educational time. >Collys =================================================================== To unsubscribe from this list, send email to with a blank Subject: line and unsubscribe scribes in the body of the message. Do not include any additional text in the body. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2002 17:38:34 -0400 From: "Sally Burnell" Subject: Re: [scribes]: Best books for exemplars OK, here is my list of best books for calligraphy and illumination, and these were published in an article that I wrote for the PALE, the Midrealm Kingdom newsletter, entitled, "The Essential Scribe's Bookshelf": Understanding Illuminated Manuscripts: A Guide to Technical Terms by Michelle P. Brown, ISBN 0-89236-217-0, published by J. Paul Getty Museum, 1994, $14.95 To me, this is one book every working scribe ought to have. It is a superb guide to the technical terms used in the study of illuminated manuscripts. It also is, as a result, a book I have referred to time and again for technical information for doing documentation for scrolls I have done. It is chock full of valuable tidbits of information and I use this particular book a lot. Highly recommended! Writing & Illuminating & Lettering by Edward Johnston, ISBN 0486285340, published by Dover, 1995, $13.95 I have a battered British edition of this book that was gifted to me shortly after I began scribing. It rapidly became my "bible" for learning my craft, and is still a book I refer to time and again for things. It was originally published around the turn of the century and has been a favourite with scribes ever since. It gives very clear instructions on everything from how to hold your pen to making period pens, pigments and inks, how to make manuscript books, illumination theory and more, and even a section in the rear on how to carve calligraphy in stone! A real "must own" for the scribe. Calligraphy & Illumination by Patricia Lovett, ISBN 0-8109-4119-8, published by Harry N. Abrams Books, 2000, $39.95 This recently published book is a thorough compendium on calligraphy and illumination. Included are sections on Calligraphy, with information on such things as Materials and Equipment, Historical Alphabets and a lot of other valuable calligraphic information, a section on Illumination with a good chapter on gilding and a section on illumination projects and even a section on heraldry and its use in illumination, so even a herald might find some use with this most excellent book! Contributors to this book include Rosemary Sassoon, author of a number of books on handwriting and calligraphy; Michelle P. Brown, Curator of Illuminated Manuscripts at the British Library in London; Hermann Zapf, a renowned calligrapher and typesetter who created many typefaces that are commonly used today; and Hubert Chesshyre, Clarenceux King of Arms at the College of Arms in London and one of England's most senior heralds. This book ought to be in every working scribe's library and is a real "must own" book! The Historical Source Book For Scribes by Michelle P. Brown and Patricia Lovett, ISBN 0-8020-4720-3, published by the University of Toronto Press, 1999, $29.95. This excellent reference book is full of valuable information for the working scribe. There is a good section on Tools and Materials, a section on analyzing scripts and then some excellent instructional sections on how to do some of the more common historical calligraphic scripts. Included are Uncial, Half-Uncial, Insular Miniscule, Caroline Miniscule, English Caroline Miniscule, Gothic Book script, Batarde, Italian Rotunda and Humanistic Scripts. There are some lovely full page colour reproductions of Manuscript pages to study as well. Each section includes a discussion on the calligraphic script and an in depth analysis of each hand as well as instructions on how to do it. This book should be on your bookshelf alongside Harris and Drogin. These three together are an excellent set of calligraphy books to own. A History of Illuminated Manuscripts by Christopher DeHamel, ISBN 0714834521, published by Phaidon Press, 1997 (2nd Ed.), $35.00 This is a second edition of this most wonderful book by Christopher DeHamel, who is the head of the Western Manuscripts Department at Sotheby's in London. I own an autographed first edition that I bought from Mr. DeHamel himself while he was on a lecture tour here in the US. This book is full of beautiful plates, alone making it worth having if only for the exemplars in it. But it is also full of very valuable information on the history of the illuminated manuscript, techniques used in its production and more. I've used this book a great deal myself for documentation purposes as well as studying the exemplars in the book for doing my own scrolls. Time Sanctified: The Book of Hours in Medieval Art and Life by Roger S. Wieck, ISBN 0-8076-1498-X, published by George Braziller, 2001, $27.50 This book is recently back in print again after a long spell of being out of print, to the delight of many scribes! It was the companion volume for an exhibition held at the Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore, Maryland in 1988. It is valuable for its information on Books of Hours, just one type of illuminated manuscript that was popular in the Middle Ages. It has a lot of beautiful exemplars as well as great information on the structure of Books of Hours. Mr. Wieck is the Associate Curator of Manuscripts and Rare Books at the Walters Art Gallery. The Calligrapher's Handbook ed. by Heather Child, ISBN 0-8008-1198-4, published by Taplinger, 1986, $15.95 This book is definitely a "must own" for the working scribe. It is full of valuable technique information on writing instruments, pigments, writing surfaces, letter design, parchment, vellum, quill preparation, gilding, manuscript binding and more! The authors of the articles in the book are all members of the Society of Scribes and Illuminators, so they know of what they speak. A book you will find yourself referring to time and again. A great all around reference book for just about all facets of scribing. Medieval Illuminators and their Methods of Work by Jonathan J.G. Alexander, ISBN 0-300-06073-4, published by Yale University Press, 1992, $27.95 What makes this book so valuable is that is shows unfinished works of illuminattion, allowing us to see the process of creating an illuminated page. Typically what we see in books is already completed pages, and as much as they are a delight to the eye to see, one is still sometimes curious as to what the process was in order to create the page. This book shows us that. It is also chock full of valuable information on process as well as giving plentiful illustrations of exemplars. This book is another one of those "must own" books that will be referred to time and again for reference. Medieval Craftsmen: Scribes and Illuminators by Christopher DeHamel, ISBN 0-8020-7707-2, published by University of Toronto Press, 1992, $20.95 This Medieval Craftsmen series is really nice because the books are short but filled with a lot of really great information, and this book is no exception. I've referred to this book many times when composing documentation for a piece I have done. It gives valuable information on materials and techniques, shows some photos of unfinished works and breaks down the processes of creating an illuminated book. The chapters are entitled "Paper and Parchment makers", "Ink makers and scribes" and "Illuminators, binders and booksellers". Anything written by DeHamel is going to be good, so this little book is a nice addition to any scribal library. Medieval Calligraphy: Its History and Technique by Marc Drogin, ISBN 0486261425, published by Dover, 1989, $12.95 This is THE Medieval calligraphy reference. Drogin's book belongs in the library of every scribe who wants to know period calligraphic styles and techniques, and the lovely thing is that it is a Dover edition, which means it is durable and inexpensive, as well as being readily available. He shows just about every period hand out there and how to do it. It is, without a doubt, a book that will be referred to time and again. A book not to be missed! The Illuminated Alphabet by Patricia Seligman, ISBN 1561384585, published by Running Press, 1994, $24.95 This is a really nice book for learning techniques of illumination. It has nice illustrations showing the various techniques one would use to do everything from making paints to gilding. It's a great book to own for learning many of the techniques used in doing illumination, as well as for learning how to do historiated initials. This book comes highly recommended and will get plenty of use if you own it. The Medieval Book by Barbara Shailor, ISBN 0-8020-6853-7, published by University of Toronto Press, 1991, $17.99 This book is really nice in that it explains the process of creation of a Medieval book. It gives plentiful technical information on period book production. Bookbinding, tools, techniques of illumination, calligraphic styles and book production are all here. Excellent ilustrations throughout the book give valuable information on period books and the processes required to create one. Nice exemplars in both black and white and colour as well. A recommended addition to the scribal library. The Art of Calligraphy by David Harris, ISBN 1564588491, published by Dorling Kindersley, 1995, $24.95 Dorling Kindersley books are becoming immensely popular for publishing very visual guides to many, many topics. Children love their beautiful pictures and adults love them for about the same reasons. Harris's book is no exception. What makes this book so valuable is that each hand is shown using a different colour for each pen stroke, which gives you a far better idea of how each hand is constructed. A superb calligraphic reference, it is recommended highly for its excellent instruction in period calligraphic hands. Blue and Yellow don't make Green by Michael Wilcox, ISBN 0891346228, published by North Light Books, 1994, $27.99 Although this book does not deal with anything necessarily period, its value is in teaching the reader colour theory beyond anything we learned in school. For example, Ultramarine blue and bright lemon yellow do NOT make green. However, a Cobalt blue and a bright lemon yellow will yield a specific colour of green. This book will teach the student of painting how to create the same colour desired time and again, so its value lies in the blending of colours to achieve the desired pigment successfully. A real must in the scribal library! The Craftsman's Handbook, "Il Libro Dell'Arte" by Cennino d'Andrea Cennini, translated by Daniel V. Thompson, ISBN 0-486-20054-X, published by Dover Books, 1978, $6.95 This is an actual period treatise on painting, making it an excellent primary source for information on period painting techniques. It was written in 15th century Florence and is full of information about how the period painter plied his craft. Pigments, binding agents, papers, gilding, stamping and more - it's all here. First hand information from a period artist make this one book no scribe should be without, and the fact that it is a Dover book makes it a durable and inexpensive book to acquire and use time and again. On Divers Arts, "De Diversis Artibus" by Theophilus, translated from the Latin by John G. Hawthorne and Cyril Stanley Smith, ISBN 0-486-23784-2, published by Dover Books, 1979, $9.95 This is the oldest extant manual on period crafts, having been written in 1122. It is a manual on period painting, glassmaking and metalwork, so it is not limited to the scribal arts. Still, it does have valuable first hand information on period painting techniques. For example, it covers pigments, binding agents, gilding, glues, varnishes, panel painting, tin leafing, inks - just about anything you would want to know about the painter's craft of that time period, making it, once again, a valuable primary source for documentation. It is a nice sturdy and inexpensive Dover edition, making it readily accessible even for the scribe on a budget. The Materials and Techniques of Medieval Painting by Daniel V. Thompson, ISBN 0-486-20327-1, published by Dover Books, 1957, $8.95 A superb reference book covering nearly every aspect of period painting. Sections of the book include carriers and grounds, binding media, pigments and metals and discusses how these were used in period. A very valuable book to own and one that belongs in every scribal library, especially because once again, even if you are a scribe on a tight budget, it is another one of those sturdy and inexpensive Dover editions that make it accessible even to someone with a tight financial situation. Thompson translated Cennini, discussed earlier, and this book together with Cennini makes an excellent companion volume. If you can only afford a few books on this list, make them Cennini, Thompson and Theophilus. The Gottingen Model Book: The Facsimile Edition and Translations of a Fifteenth Century Illuminators Manual by Hellmut Lehmann-Haupt, ISBN 0826202616, University of Missouri Press, 1972. This book, sadly, is out of print and one has to do some serious hunting to track down a copy, so prices will vary depending on which out-of-print book dealer you work with. It, again, is another one of those primary sources for period illumination techniques. It shows a lot of valuable style techniques, and for those of you who have struggled with acanthus, it shows great construction technique on how to do it. A book, that if you can find it, belongs in every scribal library. There are a number of good used/rare book dealers online if you have access to a computer, and they may be able to help you find a copy without emptying your wallet in the process. The Illuminated Page: Ten Centuries of Manuscript Painting by Janet Backhouse, ISBN 8020-4346-1, published by University of Toronto Press, 1997, $39.95 This book should be owned if for no other reason than it is a gorgeous and lush overview of 1000 years of manuscript painting and shows exemplars that have previously been unpublished that are in the British Library. A book rich in colour illustrations and information written by the Curator of Illuminated Manuscripts at the British Library. A feast for the eyes and a great book from which to study period exemplars from a thousand years worth of manuscript painting. Any book by Ms. Backhouse is highly recommended. I hope that these books have provided some good sources from which to begin creating a basic scribal library. Over time, the scribe will also wish to begin collecting the many published reproduction manuscripts, such as the Visconti Hours, Master of Mary of Burgundy, The Rohan Master, King René's Book of Love, The Hours of Catherine of Cleves, The Prayerbook of Michelino da Besozzo and other exemplars available. These are extremely valuable to own as a working scribe. Over time, you may find yourself wishing to specialise in a certain style or time period. Studying period illuminated manuscripts will allow you to become familiar with styles, colours, calligraphic hands used in period, etc. Many are publishsed by Braziller and can be expensive, but are worth it to own as sources for study. Braziller does publish some less expensive exemplar books if you are on a budget, titles such as The Golden Age of English Manuscript Painting, 1200-1500, The Golden Age: Manuscript Painting at the time of Jean, Duke of Berry, The Decorated Letter, Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Painting, Italian Renaissance Painting and more. These are every bit as valuable as owning a full reproduction manuscript, and far and away cheaper as well. They provide lovely colour illustrations of exemplars from which to study for the budget minded scribe. ~Saradwen Midrealm =================================================================== To unsubscribe from this list, send email to with a blank Subject: line and unsubscribe scribes in the body of the message. Do not include any additional text in the body. ------------------------------ End of scribes digest V7 #135 *****************************