Th e H i s t o r y o f

First and foremost, script typographyis musical. Scripts - whether formal orinformal, joining or discursive - have arhythm. A formal script, has a steady rhythm, while an informal script has a syncopated rhythm. A steady rhythm is created by consistency in letter height, branching, archshape, joins and intervals (counterspaces and the spaces between letters). In contrast to formal script, these features are deliberately inconsistent, yet still controlled, in a syncopated script.

- Pa u l S h aw

Information found in “The Line of Beauty”

Defining the term ‘Script’ isdifficult, especially since the word

has so many meanings. Essentially, scriptstyles derive their form from writing,

whether formal or informal (casual); whether donewith a broad-edged or pointed pen, a brush,

a bailpoint pen or an unconventional toolsuch as a ruling pen or spraycan.

Information found in “The Line of Beauty”

Formal ScriptDuring the 18th century (1700-1800) Roundhand handwriting was the dominant style among English Writing Masters, one of the most well noted being George Bickham, Sr.

The script was written with a quill cut very narrowly with a square tip. Hairlines were made by using the corner of the nib.

Roundhand writing was transferred to a copper plate by a master engraver for printed books to pro-mote the style. The master engraver could correct inaccuracies in the writing using a burin, which is a steel pointed chisel. The engraver could achieve close to perfect forms as seen pictured on the right.

English Roundhand

George Bickham’s Round Hand script, from The Universal Penman, c. 1740–1741.

Formal ScriptEngrosser’s Script

During the later half of the 1800’s, penman attempted to copy the corrected engraved form of roundhand. This formed Engrosser’s script, also known as Engravers script, and most notitably Copperplate script.

Following the end of

the Industrial Revolution (1760-1840)

the availiblity & production

of flexible pointed steel

nibs and oblique holder

made Engrosser’s

script possible.

Picture above is my personal pen-holder, crafted by Sr. Master Penman Bill Lilly

Personal pointed pen work

Personal pointed pen work

Casual ScriptWith advertising booming and the invention of photo composition in the United States, Casual script formed in the 20th century. The style is most noted for its more inconsistant, lively and snappy but controlled look. This style was performed with the use of wet brushes.

Hand written thank you note from Ken Barber, (I presume it was written with felt brush tip.)

Page taken out of “Scripts” by Louise Fili and Steven Heller

Also known as Informal

Mack lettering quill, specifically designed for Sign writing.

Sourceshttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1460542/round-hand-script

http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/234082-copperplate-handwriting-english-roundhand/

http://www.iampeth.com