An encyclopedic treatment of calligraphy: tools and materials, the history of writing & script, the historical hands (roman capitals, rustic, roman cursive, uncial, carolingian, gothic scripts, renaissance writing styles — including 22 model alphabets with ductus), the writing masters, the 20th century calligraphic revival and calligraphy & abstract painting. 490 illustrations, 200 in color. Full of color illustrations from historical sources and from contemporary scribes. It is also full of Mediavilla’s work which is seldom seen in the USA.