Monogram History

ART

TypographyThe study of letters and its uses for graphic design. Letters come in many styles an shapes having flat, even spacing called Gothic and also thick and thin letters called Roman. Using serifs, flourishes, and scripts lettering can be used for design as well as the function of communication.

•Historically, a monogram was used as a royal signature. •Romans and Greeks used them on coins to identify their rulers.• Then, in the Middle Ages, artisans began to use them to sign their work. •Victorian-period high-class persons adapted the monogram for personal use as a symbol of their place in society.

Now, monograms can be seen on just about anything.

•In the Victorian era, rules for monograms were quite simple and few. •Female monograms had the first initial on the left, middle initial on the right, and last initial embroidered larger in the middle.

•Monograms with three initials are generally in the Victorian format of first initial, large last initial, middle initial.

•Married monograms usually consist of the bride’s first initial on the left, the groom’s first initial on the right, and the joint last name initial larger in the center.

•A married woman would use her first name initial on the left, maiden initial on the right, then new last initial larger in the center. But the choice is truly yours.

•An illuminated manuscript is a manuscript in which the text is supplemented by the addition of decoration, such as decorated initials, borders and miniature illustrations.

•In the strictest definition of the term, an illuminated manuscript only refers to manuscripts decorated with gold or silver, but in both common usage and modern scholarship, the term is now used to refer to any decorated or illustrated manuscript

•The earliest surviving substantive illuminated manuscripts are from the period AD 400 to 600 (also in the gothic period), primarily produced in Ireland, Constantinople and Italy

Book of HoursValencia, c. 1460Vellum, 167 leaves, 150 x 100 mm. Chemise binding.Collection of the Koninklijke Bibliotheek