Publisher's description:
Spirited history and comprehensive instruction manual covers 13 important writing styles (ca. 4th century thru 15th). Fascinating facts about Roman Rustic, Uncial, Carolingian Minuscule, Early Gothic, 8 other styles; all examples beautifully photographed. Detailed directions for duplicating medieval techniques with modern tools.

From the back cover:
"Vastly rewarding and illuminating." -Arnerican Artist
This comprehensive history and instruction manual contains, in one volume, 13 significant medieval scripts, with a history of the evolution of the alphabets, and fascinating background material on the scribes, their world, and how writing styles changed over a thousand years. Moreover, it is the only modern book that provides clearly described, brilliantly photographed and accurately reproduced examples of both major and minor hands along with explicit directions for writing them.
The author-a professional calligrapher of medieval styles, as well as illuminator, writer and teacher-presents a spirited historical account of 13 important writing styles developed from about the fourth century to the end of the fifteenth. These include Roman Rustic, Uncial, Carolingian Minuscule, Early Gothic, Luxeuil Minuscule, Gothic Littera Bastarda and seven other distinctive hands. The text explains how and why different styles evolved, why certain devices, codes and abbreviations were used, and how form and function interacted.
In addition to fascinating facts about the origin and development of medieval scripts, Medieval Calligraphg also shows you how to duplicate medieval techniques with modern writing tools. Thorough instructions and sharply detailed, full-page photographs of the original alphabets explain pen angles and stroke sequences for each letter and capital. By carefully studying and practicing the techniques described, calligraphers will be able to master some of history's most interesting and influential scripts. Mr. Drogin has rounded out the book with helpful lists of suppliers of tools and materials, American and European sources for facsimiles and books, calligraphic societies, a bibliography, index and more.
Unabridged, corrected Dover (1989) republication of the edition published by Allanheld, Osmun & Co. Publishers, Inc., and Abner Schram, Ltd. Montclair, N.J., 1980.

Contents:
XI Plates by script
XIII Foreword, by Paul Freeman
XV Preface
XVII Acknowledgements
History
3 I. Introduction
6 Notes on plates
6 References to dates
7 II. The scribes
17 III. The patron demon of calligraphy
21 IV. The scripts
Technique
81 V. The technique of calligraphy
81 How to begin
84 Understanding the ductus
87 VI. Writing medieval scripts
89 Roman rustic
93 Uncial
97 Artificial uncial
105 Roman half-uncial
109 Insular maiuscule
113 Insular minuscule
125 Carolingian minuscule
131 Early gothic
137 Gothic textura quadrata
149 Gothic textura prescisus vel sine pedibus
153 Gothic littera bastarda
165 VII. Page layout
169 VIII. Writing medeival numbers
175 IX. Materials and resources
175 Supplies
177 Books
178 Obtaining facsimiles
181 Obtaining permission to study manuscripts
183 References
187 Plates by source
191 Index.