More Gothic Blackletter variations

[caliken]

This posting is in response to a request by Journaleur for more Gothic Blackletter variations.

 

I am no scholar, and I'm not fully conversant with the historic background, but I do know that there were more variations of this script than of any other, as its usage spread throughout Europe. Many of the elements are interchangeable which explains the number of acceptable versions. Here are just a few, which I've used myself, in the past. I don't know if they have specific names - I'm just interested in how they look and whether or not I can write them!

 

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/caliken_2007/BlackletterOne3.jpg

Edited January 9, 2010 by caliken

[Renzhe]

Hmmm...They all look familiar, except the fourth one.

[El Mocho]

I am going off of David Harris's The Art of Calligraphy, and also Marc Drogin, but generally, Early Gothic began with rounded features. Gothic Textura Quadrata is the spiky, ultra straight version with the thorny feet and unvarying strokes-- the word 'minim' can be made with almost the same strokes repeated-- and then Gothic Litera Bastarda or (bleep) Secretary is the more cursive form. Fraktur is the German variant, and Batarde is the French variant. Batarde is shorter than Fraktur, and has a shallower nib angle.

 

In your example, the fourth and sixth hands look like bastarda hands and the rest are closer to textura. I believe the difference is in the use of more curved strokes. The small 'a' in the third hand is about the only curve I can find in it, other than the hairlines and flourishes. They are all excellent examples!

[koa]

Blackadder? Really？ That is an amazing spellcheck error. Or is it? :roflmho:

[gteague]

Geo: Well, they can't do that. Why, the public love me! Only the other day, I was out in the street and they sang, `We hail Prince George! We hail Prince George!'

EB: `We *hate* Prince George', sir. `We *hate* Prince George!'

Geo: Was it?

EB: I fear so, sir.

 

/guy

[ExcaliburZ]

There is a Blackadder style of writing!? I surprised they made no mention of it in the show.

[koa]

It is beautiful, as always, caliken!

[caliken]

Blackadder? Really？ That is an amazing spellcheck error. Or is it? :roflmho:

Oops! silly mistake - thanks for pointing it out :embarrassed_smile:

[MrMGWard]

Beautiful!!! Just last night I was thinking about blackletter, and how I wanted to give it a whirl....

 

Nice timing Ken

 

Swavey

[caliken]

Thank you all for your interest and thanks El Mocho for the information.

[Journaleur]

Ken:

Your response to my request demonstrates once again that not only are you an artist and craftsman, but also a gentleman and scholar. I don't know how to thank you for the samples of Blackletter. I am sorry about the delay in this appreciation, but I was not on line recently. Thanks again, Journaleur.

[Ann Finley]

I like everyone of them! Thanks for posting these.

 

Best, Ann