Decorative Alphabets And Initials

A sourcebook of initials and ornamental letters reproduces designs from the eighth century to the present.

A sourcebook of initials and ornamental letters reproduces designs from the eighth century to the present

Gathers hundreds of art nouveau-style alphabets and discusses the development of these typefaces

This exquisite collection of usable, unusual, royalty-free lettering includes 1,685 bizarre and ornamental letters, including 50 full alphabets in a variety of motifs, including 11th centuy Anglo-Celtic, military, silhouettes, mathematics, and many more.

This immediately usable archive of decorative initials contains over 800 different, ornately rendered designs. Assembled by veteran typographer Dan X. Solo, the letters display an astonishing diversity and inventiveness. There are over 40 different versions of the letter "A," for example: bordered by cherubs, in a tableau with a dog and a rabbit, amid frolicking satyrs, set against stylized abstract backgrounds, framing a woman's face, laced with flowers and vines, and in many other clever and attractive representations. The other letters of the alphabet enjoy similar treatment. A wonderfully effective way to draw attention to ads, announcements, bulletins — almost any message — this superb treasury will be welcomed by anyone looking for ways to add pictorial pizzazz to the printed word.

More than two thousand decorative letters, many grouped in complete alphabets, range from medieval illuminated styles to modern type designs, with a large portion devoted to the Renaissance

145 full-page plates present the best typographical design from the 15th through the 20th centuries, including 60 handsome alphabets, many examples of decorative initials and a dazzling assortment of headings, scrolls and flourishes, rules and panels, ornaments, ribbons, cartouches, borders and more.