Thursday 15 February 2018

Calligraphic Inscriptions to the Carmelite Library

Photographs of inscriptions by Susan Southall.

Today the Calligraphy Society of Victoria takes down another show of recent work, here in the Carmelite Library. This was a small show, held to coincide with the visit to Australia of Patricia Lovett MBE, one of England’s leading practitioners and historians in calligraphy. Patricia gave a lecture on the subject in the Library in late December. 

A marvellous side benefit of the Library’s collegial friendship with the Society is inscriptions. When, in August 2016, the Society put up its Workshop Works show, the Library was presented with a thankyou gift of ‘Gospels and Acts’, the Saint John’s Bible volume handwritten and illuminated by Donald Jackson. A simple handmade gold-edged bookplate did the job.


This time around the Library received a gift copy of Deirdre and Craig Hassed’s ‘Illuminating Wisdom : words of wisdom, works of art’, published by Exisle Publishing of Wollombi. The title page includes a handwritten message from the Hasseds: “May the words & works in this book be a source of inspiration & enjoyment.”



The orange flyleaf is covered with a dedication to the Library in honour of the event in December.


On the day in question, Patricia Lovett signed copies of her magnificent new book, ‘The Art and History of Calligraphy’, published by the British Library. She used a special broad nib pen and brown ink to write ‘Carmelite Library’, and a black biro to sign off with her name. Another excellent acquisition to add to our collection of calligraphy books.   






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