This reference book studies the script, art, and culture of the early Arabic Kufic calligraphy. It presents around hundred historical stone inscriptions, coins, and manuscripts from early-Islamic Persia. In their book, the primary author and famed Iranian early Kufic expert and calligrapher, S.M.V. Mousavi Jazayeri, and his fellow co-authors read and analyze with meticulous detail the calligraphy, script, and art work of thirty-seven Kufic gravestone inscriptions, mainly from the Yazd providence of Iran. The carefully-selected inscriptional sample in this book illustrates the remarkable power and versatility of this early script, and the extent of the global role played by it in shaping societies and cultures of a vast area extending from China to Spain.

Calligraphy means "beautiful writing," and this book will show you how to do it. All you have to do is follow the easy, trace and copy examples! This how-to, beginner's instruction book is written for all ages and will guide you to master your skill in this ancient and beautiful art! The book, penned entirely in a calligraphic hand, begins with an explanation of how to select the right pens, inks, and paper. Next, it introduces you to the Italic alphabet, a beautiful and highly versatile alphabet. After that, there are sections on Blackletter (particularly useful for certificates) and three more useful alphabets (Roman, Bookhand, and Uncial). The book ends with lessons on how to use calligraphy in creative projects from certificates to posters to maps. This is a simple, straight-forward and profusely illustrated calligraphy practice book. The author, Jim Bennett, wrote Calligraphy For Dummies and is also the founder of the Calligraphy WebRing. His website is www.studioarts.net.