Writing & Writing Patterns (6 volumes by Marion Richardson)

These might be the most stunning things we have right now. But what are they? They are (or, it is) a complete, six-volume set of Marion Richardson’s midcentury handwriting guides. Sounds boring. But just look: Richardson’s approach to teaching handwriting was to encourage children to nurture the natural tendency to draw shapes and patterns. And, so, these are loaded with patterns made with our old friends A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, and their diminutive and cursive counterparts. First printed in 1935, this set was printed in 1950 and 1951. These guides were used throughout England—in fact, when we showed a local type designer from England, he said he was taught to write with this method. Pure joy.