The Alphabet and Elements of Lettering by Frederic W. Goudy
Chapter 6: The National Hands
WITH the decline of the Roman Empire, the writings of other nations rose in
importance and we see a variety of characters which the evolution of national
hands brought about. The text hands in use in western Europe up to the age of
Charlemagne may be classified into four kinds, each developing its own form
but later all merging gradually into one, which we now call "Gothic."
FIG. 26 PAINTED LOMBARDIC CAPITALS OF THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY
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First, Lombardic, or the national hand of Italy, which was a development of the
uncial and was first used in northern Italy. The Lombardic character is a most
useful and interesting form and presents less of the fixed quality of the Roman.
There are many & wide variations of it as developed by the scribes in different countries.
It was the favorite form selected for initials & versals in manuscripts, which were
usually painted in, in colors and gold, the solidity of the body strokes making it
especially adaptable for this purpose. At its best this Lombardic letter preserves
much of the feeling of the uncials of the sixth and seventh centuries.
Lombardic capitals do not combine well in words or sentences, although they are frequently so
misused. Occasionally, where the decorative quality sought is of more
importance than easy legibility, they offer an opportunity for richness difficult
to attain with other forms. If drawn carefully and well spaced, there is no reason
why they should not be used, except for the reader's lack of familiarity with them. *
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* If the craftsman will study carefully the various forms of the
same letter, and then try to reproduce the spirit of them in one
of his own, he is more likely to produce capitals that will
combine well than if he simply copies existing forms.
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For ecclesiastical printing they are particularly suitable. Though the Lombardic
capital is capable of really beautiful treatment, care must be exercised in the selection
of models, as the majority of examples show a debased type. After the fourteenth century
the Lombardic capitals were frequently overembellished, losing their typical forms &
showing a tendency to confusion and illegibility. Those shown in figure 26 are not too
ornate. The existing type forms of the Lombardic character mostly lose all the freedom
of the hand-drawn letter and seldom grace the page. In the tenth and eleventh centuries
this form of letter attained its greatest beauty.
Continue to page 2
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The Alphabet and Elements of Lettering
by Frederic W. Goudy
Introduction
What Letters Are
Letters in General
The Development of the Roman Capital
Letters Before Printing
The National Hands
The Development of Gothic
The Beginnings of Types
The Qualities of Lettering
Some Practical Considerations
Notes on the Plates
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