Letterboek voor den Schilder

First, Google translates the text on the cover of this portfolio as “Letter Book for the Painter compiled by teachers and students of the National School of Painting in Utrechts under the supervision of Director Jacob Por.” We mention this because we are impressed by the hostility with which the foreword begins: “The title on the cover already contains in short the content and the purpose of this letter book.“ In other words, Duh. But, it continues, “It is intended for the painter and therefore made by the painter.” The rest of the foreword is brief and interesting (and in Dutch)—and then we get to the meat of the book: thirty-two plates of alphabets and practical examples. You’ll see that some are signed (in the plate) by a W. Van Krimpen. He was the teacher and apparently no relation to Jan van Krimpen. Anyway, delightful alphabets made by students and teachers (Duh.) and scarcely seen in these scarcely united states. Only Harvard has a copy.

See more lettering portfolios »