Alice Koeth

Calligrapher / United States /

Alice Koeth’s Book List

5 books
Irene Briggs
Raymond F. DaBoll

The milieu of Chautauqua is creatively presented as a grand stage production, crafting live theater and lively handwork. DaBoll’s talent for observation is an impressive performance, managed with the great skill of an accomplished calligrapher and appreciative observer of the theatrical whirling-about to give free rein for lively drawings.

Besides the theatrics, our interest is in the work of this master penman beautifully calligraphing the entire book. DaBoll’s mastery of the broad nib pen and his knowledgeable comments on calligraphy make this volume theatrics for graphic artists as well. Embellished with marginal sketches drawn with the same verve and broad nib pen it becomes an inspiration and challenge for all scribes. The volume contains 39 pages of notes on calligraphy and handwritten letters from other handwriting enthusiasts.

Heather Child

This practical and profusely illustrated bible of authoritative articles is a comprehensive collection by members of the distinguished Society of Scribes and Illuminators, England. All the contributors are professional craftspeople with extensive experience in their areas of expertise. A must-have book for anyone interested in pursuing a knowledge of calligraphy, or seriously interested in practicing scribal skills and their applications. Expansive and thoroughly illustrated chapters on calligraphy, the making of fine writing instruments, and book-page design. 

Friends of the Klingspor-Museum Offenbach, Germany

A catalogue of work Spemann accomplished during his student days in the Munich Arts & Crafts School and later. All his fellow students had great respect for his industriousness and ability to concentrate. His many interests and wide education (he was the second son of a famous Naturalist and Nobel Prize winner) presented various possibilities for a career direction. He became dissatisfied with pencil and pointed pen drawing and decided to develop his calligraphic studies, in which he was unusually gifted and created with passion. Teaching positions in Stuttgart and Munich occupied his years before World War II broke out. In 1945 he became a prisoner of the Russians in Czechoslovakia. While a prisoner he wrote the most wonderful small pages by candlelight, sitting on boxes. On June 11, 1947 (two years after the war had ended), he died of a heart attack at age 42. He was buried by his comrades in a prison camp in the Ukraine.

Over 1,000 pieces of his work are at the Klingspor Museum. His lettering art was full of spirit. He was a humanist, with full expression of the spiritual—a genuine great master.

Rudolf Koch
Woodcut illustrations by Felix Kredel

An extensive collection of “bare bone” symbols and images, drawn and explained by this celebrated calligrapher, teacher, and typographer. It provides a historic graphic repertoire for designers to build upon. When creatively embellished or used with decorative flourishing, these graphic images give artists and calligraphers myriad opportunities to solve design ideas for today’s taste and style, without diminishing the meaning and integrity of the “bone.” Today’s icons have stripped the embellishments of centuries to the “bare bones” of a symbol’s original image. A wonderful comfort for any artist.

With so many international travelers, we must live in a world filled with icons. The necessity of immediate communication is imperative. Images give the directions.

Brenda Casey Zoby Editor

A wonderful collection that everyone should have, because we all need numbers.

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