Written Letters: 33 Alphabets for Calligraphers [Paperback]

Jacqueline Svaren (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Taplinger Publishing Company; 2 Rev Sub edition (December 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800887352
• ISBN-13: 978-0800887353
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 10 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #690,874 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best calligraphy how-to available., October 17, 2000

By 

David Lovegrove (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Written Letters: 33 Alphabets for Calligraphers (Paperback)

I highly recommed this book to all my students, for several reasons. First, an amazing fact is that most "how-to" calligraphy books are written by bad calligraphers. Jacqueline Svaren has a good, crisp, well-practiced hand that is worth immitating. Second, the entire book is hand written in calligraphy by her and is reproduced actual size with no corrections, so you can see real-life problems and solutions (yes, there are a few cross-outs!) - this isn't retouched perfection. Third, with every letter there are wonderfully helpful notes, explaining complex shapes or warning of common problems. Finally, the book weaves in a good deal of calligraphy history, which helps the student gain a better understanding of how the forms developed. Highly recommended.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Professionals and Amateurs, March 10, 2006

By 

B. Teris (San Francisco, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Written Letters: 33 Alphabets for Calligraphers (Paperback)

As a high school student this was an essential book. It is a compilation of different alphabets and includes precise instruction on the construction of individual letters. It was the fundamental basis for my calligraphy classes. 5 years later, as a professional calligrapher I refer back from time to time to learn a new alphabet suited for the job at hand. It is amazing how much someone (amateur or professional) can learn from this book.

I must say, the alphabets are `standard' and do not include personal technique. It is imperative to learn the basic and standard structure of an alphabet before you add individual style (which this book allows); once you have mastered the fundamentals of that alphabet then you can add your personal touches. I have many other books which include calligraphic fonts but this is the most critical one I own. I bring this very book with me to a client to pick out an alphabet and it is the one I use to teach my students.
I cannot express in words how great it is!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent instruction for those with some experience, February 9, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Written Letters: 33 Alphabets for Calligraphers (Paperback)

Ms. Svaren provides the intermediate calligrapher with sound and solid instruction to further broaden their repertoire of calligraphic "hands". The book is easy to use, (it folds back all the way because of the spiral binding) and the actual instruction for stroke sequences are very clear. I've used this book in teaching classes