Gothic Script

Gothic, I will tell you candidly
I loathe you paleographically
Your thick strokes and nonexistent thins
Offspring of the Carolingians

Into the seventeenth century
The scribes wielded you like weaponry
You’re as measured as a picket fence
And your letterforms are just too dense
–Christine Cox

To show that Gothic script could be fatiguing to read, medieval scribes invented this joke sentence:

mimi numinum niuium minimi munium nimium uini muniminum imminui uiui minimum uolunt

“The snow gods’ smallest mimes do not wish in any way in their lives for the great duty of the defenses of wine to be diminished.”

Book Hardware Class

A couple of weeks ago I taught a class on Gothic-style book furniture/hardware. My student, Kath Thomas, did amazing work! In spite of having a cold, and having never worked in metal before, Kath was quite prolific and produced what I like to call The Thomas Hoard. I have to say, Kath’s energy is inspiring! Great job, Kath!

Check out her beauties.

The Thomas Hoard

1. Etched corners (most with bezel-set stones, one made to wrap around wooden board), 2. Anchor and catch plates (practice),
3. Etched strap with soldered ring for peg, 4. Textured boss, 5. Etched and pierced fastening with bezel-set stone and soldered peg,
6. Shovel strap and anchor plates

Christine is teaching this class again in May, 2013. Care to join us?