Recommended Calligraphy Books

Here are some of my favorites when it comes to calligraphy books. I'll be adding more later.

The Speedball Textbook
Just a small softcover 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" booklet, but a dynamite little resource book. It has come out in a number of different editions, so get the latest one if you can. It gives information about supplies, pens, nibs, a good variety of different alphabet hands or styles and how to write them, plus a good selection of samples written in these styles.

The Art of Calligraphy - by David Harris
One of my favorites, this lovely hardcover book gives a good introduction to calligraphy, some of the history of our western lettering styles, and then features 26 different alphabets, directions for how to write them, plus samples of work using those alphabets. I think the instructions are very well done - easy to follow and understand.

Written Letters - by Jacqueline Svaren
This book, all of which is written in calligraphy, features 33 different alphabets. It gives some of the history and development of each alphabet, plus directions for writing the alphabets. Here again, the instructions are clear and easy to follow.