The Complete Engraver A Guide to Monograms, Crests, Ciphers, Seals, and the Etiquette and History of Social Stationery
Nancy Sharon Collins
ISBN 9781616890674
Publication date 8/22/2012
6 x 8.5 inches (15.2 x 21.6 cm), Hardcover
224 pages, 170 color illustrations, 10 b/w illustrations
Rights: World;
(788.0)
In this age of emails, texts, and instant messages, receiving a letter has become a rare treat. Engraved stationery can make a piece of correspondence, whether a short note, formal letter, or business card, even more special. Once an integral part of social life, the use of engraved stationery has become a lost art. In The Complete Engraver, author Nancy Sharon Collins brings this venerable craft to life, from the history and etiquette of engraved social stationery in America to its revival and promise of new visual possibilities. Illustrated with gorgeous, original specimens of social stationery, calling cards, and monograms, The Complete Engraver also includes instructional sections that give tips on letter writing, social stationery etiquette, and the steps required to commission engraving work today. Two digital fonts based on engraver's style typefaces are available for free for readers of the book (via a web link).
Nancy Sharon Collins is a well-known designer and stationer whose clients have included Clinique, Revlon, Curve Fragrance, Williams-Sonoma, Martha Stewart Wedding, the Metropolitan Opera Shop, and the Museum of Modern Art.
Ellen Lupton:
"Today, Nancy Sharon Collins brings crisp wit and undying love to one of history's most spirited printing processes. As the letterpress revival grips designers in its leaden thrall, we might ready ourselves to receive engraving's lighter touch."
Uppercase:
"While many designers enjoy the letterpress renaissance, Nancy champions the more involved process of metal engraving... The results can be transcendent: intricate, expressive work imbued with very fine hatching, capable of subtle figural beauty."
BUST magazine:
"Filled with beautiful images... some of the notes on etiquette are pretty amusing... and some are quite useful."
I Love Typography:
"An approachable, interesting, and compelling read... Collins is erudite. The Complete Engraver is a welcome addition to the canon of design history."
