Contains two dozen lettering projects, numerous 'how-to' illustrations, and over a hundred examples of finished designs as an idea source - plus 800 monograms for every combination of initials.

Provides examples of historical and contemporary alphabet models with an instructive narrative text and specific projects to try.

Margaret Shepherd, the premier name in calligraphy, offers would-be scribes a completely new way to letter. With this technique, the pen does the teaching. Once you master the Basic Block alphabet, you can expand your horizons with the variations offered in these pages. The 26 variations include Deco Letters, Double Block, Gothic, Bookhand, and more. Each chapter offers detailed instructions in handling the pen; illustrations that highlight the visual lesson; a master alphabet to copy; a guideline sheet to practice; suggestions for everyday use; examples of practical projects; and, a related "bonus" alphabet to stimulate further exploration.

This book is a totally new concept in learning and improving calligraphy skills. It presents a new lettering challenge for each day of the year; 365 in all (plus a bonus for Leap Day), ranging from ‘angular Italic’ to ‘turned Celtic.’ These alphabets are the perfect program for beginners learning the art of beautiful writing. They also offer the best form of practice and improvement for experienced calligraphers. In addition to daily practice, a practical lettering project is presented for each week. There are 52 in all, ranging from wholly creative projects such as designing an award for a special person to such money-makers as lettering wedding invitations or greeting cards.

From overcoming illegible penmanship to mastering the challenge of keeping straight margins, avoiding smeared ink, and choosing stationery that is appropriate but suits your style, this is a powerful little guide to conveying thoughts in an enduring—and noteworthy—way. For those who enjoy writing notes, or those who value doing so but find themselves intimidated by the task, acclaimed calligrapher Margaret Shepherd has created both an epistolary tribute and rescue manual. Just as you cherish receiving personal mail, you can take pleasure in crafting correspondence. Love, gratitude, condolences, congratulations—for every emotion and occasion, a snippet of heartfelt prose is included, sure to loosen the most stymied letter writer.