Pen and Brush Lettering & Practical Alphabets - Vintage Blandford Press Art Book

This vintage copy of “Pen and Brush Lettering and Practical Alphabets” from Blandford Press is a classic mid‑century guide to hand‑lettering, calligraphy and alphabet design. Produced during a period when commercial art and signwriting were still predominantly done by hand, the book offers practical instruction, stylistic examples and a wide range of alphabets for artists, designers and students.

Blandford Press became well‑known for its high‑quality art and craft manuals, and this title remains one of their most recognisable lettering guides. With its bold retro cover and clear instructional layout, it’s both a useful reference and a collectable piece of design history.

These books are increasingly sought after by calligraphers, typographers, illustrators and anyone interested in traditional lettering techniques.
A charming and functional addition to any creative studio, vintage book collection or mid‑century art library.

Mid‑Century Lettering and the Rise of Practical Art Manuals

Before digital typography transformed the design world, lettering was a skilled craft taught through hands‑on practice and specialist manuals. During the 1940s–1960s, publishers like Blandford Press produced a series of accessible, well‑illustrated books aimed at commercial artists, signwriters and students of design.

“Pen and Brush Lettering and Practical Alphabets” reflects this era perfectly. It captures the techniques, styles and visual language used in advertising, posters, packaging and signwriting before the arrival of computer‑based type. Today, these manuals are valued not only for their instructional content but also for their insight into the aesthetics and working methods of mid‑century graphic design.

This edition stands as a tangible reminder of the craft‑based roots of modern typography.