Artist & Alphabet: Twentieth Century Calligraphy and Letter Art in America

Over the past quarter century, calligraphy and the lettering arts have enjoyed a renaissance all across America. As the century closes, it seems both appropriate and timely for Godine to join forces with the Society of Scribes (who will also be marking their 25th anniversary) and the aiga to assemble, exhibit and illustrate the work of the calligraphers who have made major contributions to the field and whose work, in the opinion of their peers, is consistently outstanding. Here, then, is a selection presenting a century of scribes, representing 140 examples of their best work, and displaying the taste, variety and vitality of the lettering arts in this country over the past century. The greats are all here, from Arnold Bank, John Howard Benson, and W. A. Dwiggins to Alexander Zanetti and Hermann Zapf (whose influence is so pervasive and whose American contacts so legion that it would have been criminal to omit him). In between are stunning examples, with 96 specimens illustrated in full color and 47 in black and white, of the very best this country has produced. Complete with 72 pages of color, this landmark book provides the widest possible overview of the lettering arts of this century, a rewarding display of American talent and artistry reproduced to the highest standards.