Leonard G. Lee - The Encyclopedia of Monograms: Over 11,000 Motifs for Designers, Artists, and Crafters

It is believed that this volume comprises altogether the most extensive collection of Types, Monograms, Coats-of-Arms, Crests and other designs ever issued for the use of silversmiths, jewelers, engravers, stationers, printers, druggists and others engaged in or related to the graphic arts.

The modern development of the type industry furnishes an opportunity for fine letter-press printing comparing favorably for many uses with the more expensive engraved work. Not that it will ever displace the latter where elegance and refinement in highest degree is desired and where the item of cost is wholly subordinate, but for all semi-formal social functions, for popular announcements and for fine circular and card work the modern type faces answer most purposes admirably.

The Monogram Section embraces the masterpieces of many of the noted artists of the world. The reproductions are from the following works to which we acknowledge our indebtedness:

Dictionaire du ChiffreMonogramme et des Couronnes Nobiliaires Universelles, by C. Demengeot.

Chiffres & Monogrammes, et Suite de Compositiones Decoratives, by Gustave Boussenot.

Gewerbe Monogramm, by Martin Gerlach.

Chiffres et Monogrammes, by H. Renoir.

Monograms, by J. Gordon Smith.

Ornamental Alphabets, Ancient and Medival, by F. Delamotte.

Zir Schripten, by Karl Klimsch.

Monograms and Cyphers, by A. A. Turbayne and-other members of the Carlton Studio.

The publishers would have preferred to present the Monograms in groups according to their authorship in order that credit in every instance might be given, but this method would have seriously impaired the value of the volume as a work of reference in that it would impose the necessity of consulting every group in order to find all the various forms of any single monogram.

The present arrangement will be found to be strictly alphabetical so far as conditions would permit. To find the forms of any desired monogram, as, for instance, BN, it is only necessary to turn the pages to the letter B and follow them alphabetically to N. The same is true if the design be for three or more letters or any desired name.

An innovation to be found, we believe, in no other similar work, has been to number the figures serially on each page in order to facilitate their ready designation in orders or correspondence.

For the part devoted to Crests and Coats-of-Arms we are largely indebted to the Encyclopedia Heraldica, by William Berry, for many years registering clerk to the College of Arms, London. This magnificent old work, now become exceedingly rare, merits recognition as a classic in its field and we deem its restoration for use in popular form a public service.

Believing that the volume in its comprehensiveness and adaptability for ready reference is incomparably more valuable than any other accessible to American artists and artisans it is confidently tendered them in the hope that its mission will have full justification in the satisfaction of its users and the promotion of the best in its field of art.

THE PUBLISHERS.

PART I.

Illustrating and Engraving Initials

Alphabets, Old and Modern, German, Greek, Hebrew Letters

KING EDWARD CYPHER

13th CENTURY MANUSCRIPT. WESTMINSTER ABBEY