LETTERS &
LETTERING
A TREATISE WITH 200 EXAMPLES
FRANK CHOUTEAU BROWN
BOSTON
BATES & GUILD COMPANY
MCMXXI
Copyright, 1921, by
BATES & GUILD COMPANY
Printed by
PERRY & ELLIOTT CO
LYNN BOSTON
Printed in the U. S. A.
NOTE
This book is intended for those who have felt the need of a varied collection of alphabets of standard forms, arranged for convenient use.
The alphabets illustrated, while primarily intended to exhibit the letter shapes, have in most cases been so arranged as to show also how the letters compose into words, except in those instances where they are intended to be used only as initials. The application of classic and medieval letters to modern usages has been, as far as possible, suggested by showing modern designs in which similar forms are employed.
In view of the practical aim of this treatise it has been deemed advisable to include a larger number of illustrative examples rather than to devote space to the historical evolution of the letter forms.
To the artists, American and European, who have so kindly furnished him with drawings of their characteristic letters—and without whose cordial assistance this book would hardly have been possible—to the master-printers who have allowed him to show types specially designed for them, and to the publishers who have given him permission to borrow from their books and magazines, the author wishes to express his sincere obligations.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
1 and 2 Alphabet after Sebastian Serlio (1473-1554). Reconstructed by Albert R. Ross.
3 Width Proportions of Modern Roman Capitals. F. C. B.
4 Drawing for Incised Roman Capitals. For cutting in granite. Letter forms based upon those shown in figures 1 and 2. F. C. B.
5 Photograph of Incised Roman Capitals. Cut in granite from drawing shown in figure 4
6 Incised Roman Capitals. From the Arch of Constantine, Rome. 315 A.D. From a photograph
7 Model for Incised Roman Capitals. Used for inscriptions cut in granite on Boston Public Library. McKim, Mead & White, Architects. Photographed from a cast
8 Roman Incised Capitals. From fragments in marble. National Museum, Naples. Rubbing
9 Roman Incised Inscription. Museo Civico, Bologna. From a photograph
10 Roman Incised Inscription. Museo Civico, Bologna. From a photograph
11 Detail from a Roman Incised Inscription. Showing composition. Redrawn from a rubbing. F. C. B.