(A Guide to Western Historical Scripts from Antiquity to 1600) [By: Brown, Michelle P.] [Nov, 1993]

by Michelle P. Brown

First edition. Traces the evolution of scripts in the West from Antiquity to the early modern period. A summary of each major stage of development is provided, along with illustrations and accompanying text of actual examples. A well written, nicely produced book. Bookplate. Small library stamp on verso of title page. vi , 138 pages. paper-covered boards.. small 4to..

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Books About Books, Reference, Medieval

Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Michelle P. Brown is Professor Emerita of Medieval Manuscript Studies at the School of Advanced Study, University of London. She was previously (1986–2004) Curator of Illuminated Manuscripts at the British Library. She has been a historical consultant and on-screen expert on several radio and television programmes. She has published books on the Lindisfarne Gospels, the Luttrell Psalter and the Holkham Bible.

Reviews

[AskHistorians]

52 full-page plates, solid transcriptions, and a sound methodology for beginners in manuscript studies. Brown's book is a wonderful start.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish the images of the manuscripts were bigger, or that the text parts they transcribed were zoomed in somewhere else on the page. As it is, it would be very hard to read the scripts, even if they were ones I was familiar with. Otherwise, Brown gives very detailed information on the development of these scripts, as well as detailed information about particular letter forms found in the samples.

[Micahlibris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid work covering the history of western handwriting from Roman Uncial to Humanistic Hands. Although helpful, Brown's taxonomy and nomenclature is a tad muddled and inconsistent. Derolez's Paleography of Gothic Manuscript Books is a more detailed and consistent effort. I recommend Brown for the beginner or anyone generally interested in calligraphy.