More than Fine Writing [Hardcover]

Heather Child (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Wellington's calligraphy has been praised for its absolute rightness of design, its liveliness and grace, its easy fusion of writing and decoration. This pioneer of the British arts-and-crafts movement could turn a listing of 400 bailiffs into an elegant piece of abstract design. A Christmas carol penned on parchment sings with understated dignity, while a calligraphic collage of animals and alphabet fragments astonishes with its freewheeling spontaneity. Wellington, who died in 1984, did commissioned pieces for the British royal family. Her copybooks, penned quotations and book illustrations reveal her sureness of touch. The most personal pieces are whimsical cards made for friends, full of witty decorations. This album includes 125 color reproductions of her writings and illuminations.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 140 pages
• Publisher: Overlook Hardcover; 1st U. S. Edition edition (March 31, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879512695
• ISBN-13: 978-0879512699
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #668,043 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Than Fine Writing, February 20, 2000

By 

Kayoko Sugino (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: More than Fine Writing (Hardcover)

You HAVE TO read this book! Irene Wellington's works are delightful to look at. Her letters and drawings have a vitality that is sensed even in reproductions. Unlike many books on scribes, calligraphy etc, this publication is a reliable volume; editors of the book are prestigious professionals and this book can make all the difference in the education of any scribe. It is a lasting book, and although I bought this book months ago I find myself going to it constantly. The works are very appealing and refreshing.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Regrets!, November 29, 2001

By 

Josef Venker (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: More than Fine Writing (Hardcover)

I brought this book back from England in the late '80 and it has been the envy of many of my American calligraphy friends ever since. How wonderful that it is now back in print, available and reasonably priced. An inspiration for the beginner but most especially for those who have some background or ambition in this art. The contributors themselves constitute a "Who's Who"
of the late 20th century British calligraphy world. A must have, you will love owning this book for the rest of your life. No regrets!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a book that would make you run back in a burning house to save, February 23, 2009

By 

PenandInk777 "Calligrapher" - See all my reviews

This review is from: More than Fine Writing (Hardcover)

I first borrowed this book from my calligraphy guild and I did not want to return this book. I never understood why people would steal or take something that did not belong to them until I open the pages of this book. However, I did return the book because my conscience was strong and my moral beliefs and knowing what is right kept me from stealing. I said all of that to say if you love calligraphy and want to learn and sit at the feet of Irene Wellington just buy this book and feel yourself take a step back in time as you open the book and experiences the life of Irene Wellington which inspired me to do my best by looking at my work and evaluating my pen strokes and the letter spacing comparing the same written sentences to see which letter is written more correctly and did improving on that letter making it better. There is a quote by Ruskin that describe Irene Wellington and her book "More Than Fine Writing" -- When love and skill work together expect a masterpiece. This book is a masterpiece.