Practical Letter Book

Created during an exciting period in the evolution of graphic design, this volume was initially published in 1911 as Kaemmerer’s Practical Letter Book: Containing Several Hundred Alphabets in 140 Plates; Together with Descriptive Text, For the Use of Sign Painters, Show Card Writers, Decorators, Artists and Craftsmen. A century later, this magnificent compendium offers a useful reference for graphic artists and designers in many fields. The 140 plates feature numerous historic and modern styles from throughout Europe, including examples based on Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and Gothic originals. Selections include English and Dutch block letters; Roman, German, and French letters; script and Gothic letters; a variety of contemporary letters; foreign alphabets; numerals; and a sampling of monograms and vignettes. The compilation’s original intent as a resource for sign painters ensures the eye-catching quality of its contents, making this volume an enduring source of possibilities and inspiration.