Writing Books

In connection with the bibliographical inclusion of the collection of Schreibmeisterbücher in the online catalog of the Berlin Art Library, the catalog illustrated with 300 images is also published. Writing master books, which were widespread throughout Europe from the 16th century until the invention of the typewriter, are textbooks and template works for teaching writing with the pen. From the initially handwritten teaching material developed the printed textbooks, for practicing writing according to the template and especially for demonstrating the mastery of the writer. Calligraphic masterpieces were created, which are still coveted and often extremely rare collector's items today. With 493 bibliographic units, the collection of scribal master books in the Art Library offers a very broad spectrum on the history of scribal forms. It can thus be considered a reference collection and allows comparisons between individual writing styles, between cities and countries, as well as the analysis of historical development processes of handwriting. The essays and the introductions to the catalog, which is divided according to language areas, present basic features and aspects of the history of European writing masterbooks, with the aim of motivating further research with the collection objects in the Art Library.

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