I'm interested in finding one book that can teach me copperplate. I've read rave reports about Dick Jackson's book, but it's out of print and the ones I have found on the internet are very expensive. The other book which seems good is Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy by Eleanor Winters. Does anyone have any experience with Eleanor's book, is it worth buying? How does it compare to Dick Jackson's? Maybe there is another book which is more suited, if so, which one/s? Thanks I would appreciate any guidance.
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Full Version: Copperplate Calligaphy by Dick Jackson
See your local librarian. You might be able to get the book through inter-library loan if your local doesn't have it.
I would keep watching the sites online that sell used books. A few months ago, I got the Dick Jackson book for a reasonable price, I seem to recall around $11?, from an Amazon seller (usually I prefer more in the 99 cent range 
). Mastering Copperplate is very detailed and is usually the recommended text, but as you know, the Dick Jackson text has been out of print for years. I like the Jackson book as striking a nice balance between not enough and too much detail. For me, I wanted it because my teacher had been a student of Jackson's, so the letterforms were in line with what she was teaching. Elaine -- I think last summer? or the year before? -- recommended a short and inexpensive book as an un-intimidating starter before tackling the Eleanor Winters. O.K., just found it: Calligraphy in the Copperplate Style, which is a Dover book and around $6. It doesn't spend a couple pages on the formation of just one letter and I don't think it goes on to talk about layout and such, as I recall the Winters book doing.
In short, it depends on what kind of approach and detail you are looking for.
). Mastering Copperplate is very detailed and is usually the recommended text, but as you know, the Dick Jackson text has been out of print for years. I like the Jackson book as striking a nice balance between not enough and too much detail. For me, I wanted it because my teacher had been a student of Jackson's, so the letterforms were in line with what she was teaching. Elaine -- I think last summer? or the year before? -- recommended a short and inexpensive book as an un-intimidating starter before tackling the Eleanor Winters. O.K., just found it: Calligraphy in the Copperplate Style, which is a Dover book and around $6. It doesn't spend a couple pages on the formation of just one letter and I don't think it goes on to talk about layout and such, as I recall the Winters book doing. In short, it depends on what kind of approach and detail you are looking for.
QUOTE (janzjewelz @ Aug 22 2008, 12:29 PM) 
Does anyone have any experience with Eleanor's book, is it worth buying? How does it compare to Dick Jackson's?
I have both books and they are both good purchases. My preference is for Jackson's book for a couple of reasons - IMO his exemplars, in letter construction, are closer to "The Universal Penman" ideal, and his method gets straight to the point with very clear instruction.
This was the only book I used, many years ago, when I self-taught myself copperplate. It is considerably thinner than Winter's book and cost very little when first published. Having said that, Winter's book is probably the best, currently in print.
Jackson's book has been out of print for some time, but relatively inexpensive copies do turn up from time to time. It's worth searching for one.
caliken
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