[Scriptoris] Annotated Bibliography

[g_r.cathan@att.net]

Dear Scriptoris,

Below is an annotated bibliography that Rose and I put together some time ago.
It is by no means exhaustive but is a generalized list meant as a starting
point.  I do not advocate going out and buying everything here but you should
go to your local libraries, bookstores and friendly neighborhood scribe and see
if it is something you truly need.

Geoff


CALLIGRAPHY AND ILLUMINATION

Medieval Calligraphy: Its History and Technique
by Marc Drogin, Dover, 1989
ISBN 0-486-26142-5
Comprehensive history and instruction manual, examples of major and minor hands
from the first to the fifteenth centuries with explicit directions for writing
them. This book changed everything when it comes to learning Medieval
calligraphy on your own.

The Art of Calligraphy: A Practical Guide to the Skills and Techniques
by David Harris,Dorling Kindersley,
ISBN 1-56458-849-1
This instructional manual presents 16 historical hands from rustic to italic
and 7 capital styles. The instructional material includes exemplar alphabets
and a ductus printed in several colors of transparent ink that show the
individual strokes and their sequence. Hints on letter formation are given. All
illustrations are in full color.

The Calligrapher's Handbook
by Child, Heather (ed.), 2nd edition Taplinger, NY, 1986
ISBN: 0-8008-7023-9
A manual of traditional craft technique articles including Sam Sommerville on
Parchment and Vellum. Dorothy Hutton on Pigments and Media and on Illumination
and Decoration, and Donald Jackson on Gilding. Essential reading for
illuminators, especially for laying gold

Secreta: Three Ways of Laying Gold Leaf
by Joyce Grafe, Taplinger, NY, 1986
ISBN: 0-8008-1198-4
Covers use of (1) gum ammoniac, a simple and rapid method; (2) gesso, for a
raised, mirror finish; and (3) Hyplar, a modern gloss medium that is less
temperamental than gesso.

The Illuminated Alphabet
by Timothy Noad and Pattricia Seligman, Running Press, Philadelphia, 1994
ISBN 1-56138-458-5
This is a how-to book about making illuminated letters. The styles presented
are: Celtic, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Modern Revival. Step-by-step
illustrations are presented for the drawing, gilding, and painting of the
decorated letters

The Göttingen Model Book
University of Missouri Press, Columbia, 1972
ISBN 0-8262-0261-6
Facsimile edition and translation of a 15th century illuminator's manual. This
is a period step by step how to paint illuminations book.

HISTORY

Time Sanctified: The Book of Hours in Medieval Art and Life
by Roger Wieck, George Braziller, NY, 1988
ISBN 0-8076-1189-1  (0-8176-1190-5 (pbk.))
Explains the history, format, use and development of The Book of Hours placing
this important art form into social, political and cultural context.  The color
reproductions are particularly well done

A Guide to Western Historical Scripts from Antiquity to 1600
by Michelle Brown, University of Toronto Press , 1990
ISBN 0-8020-5866-3
A survey of scripts , variations and clear transcriptions of the examples used.
Among other treasures within is a page of Latin abbreviations and what they
mean. This book is excellent for scribes and non-scribes alike.

Medieval Illuminators and Their Methods of Work
by Jonathan Alexander, Yale University Press, 1992
ISBN 0-300-05689-3
An analysis of surviving manuscripts and medieval treaties explaining the
materials, methods, tools, choice of illustrations and execution of
illumination from the early middle ages to the 15th century.

The Story of Writing
by Donald Jackson, N.Y. Taplinger, 1981.
ISBN 0-8008-0172-5
An illustrated history of writing and writing materials from cave paintings to
the fountain pen. Donald Jackson is one of the world's leading modern
calligraphers. This book contains directions for the layering technique for
coloring a capital B from the Worms Bible.

Writing & Illuminating & Lettering
by Edward Johnston, N.Y. Taplinger, 1977.
ISBN 0-4862-8534-0
Classic study covers fundamentals of acquiring a formal hand, tools &
materials, creating manuscript books, constructing & arranging letters, much
more.

Understanding Illuminated Manuscripts: A Guide to Technical Terms
by Michelle Brown, J/Paul Getty Museum / The British Library, 1994
ISBN 0-89236-217-0
What is a breviary, an antiphonal and what are rubrics? This book can tell you
along with definitions of the techniques, processes and materials used in
medieval illuminated manuscripts. Clearly illustrated.


The Calligrapher's Dictionary
by Rose Folsom, Thames and Hudson Ltd., London, NY, 1990
ISBN 0-5000-1489-2
Comprehensive A-Z companion to the art of calligraphy. 1500 entries cover
technical and historical topics. An essential reference book for scribes, and
illuminators.

Blue and Yellow Don’t Make Green: or How to Mix the Color You Really Want –
Every Time
by Michael Wilcox, Rockport Publishers, MASS, 1987
ISBN 0-935603-39-5
Having trouble mixing your paints to get the color you want? This book offers a
reassessment of the principles underlying color mixing. Traditional views are
challenged. This is color heresy made fun.