Ornate and complex typographic styles with smooth curves and dramatic ends have always appealed to me. The earliest, mass-published, example of this was the Illuminated manuscripts of Gutenberg’s Bible, in the 1450s. This was also the first use of the print press. The earliest surviving illuminated manuscripts are from 400 to 600 AD. The gothic period was a popular time for the illuminated manuscript and was primarily produced in Ireland, Constantinople and Italy. The majority of surviving manuscripts are from the Middle Ages, the 15th century Renaissance, and a limited number from Late Antiquity. Most illuminated manuscripts were created as codices, which had superseded scrolls. As a form of Rubrication, decorative drop-capitals were handwritten and illustrated in the margins and spaces left by the press. The amount of illustration in these bibles depended on how much the buyer would agree to pay. My taste is similar to the people of that time period. I prefer impressive intricate typography.
Drop Capitals are Initials that create hierarchy within bodies of text. The word comes from Latin, Initialis, meaning standing at the beginning. Initials are used today on stationary and company logos as decoration that is informative and enjoyable to look at. Illustrative initials were important because they would help prevent forgeries.
The manuscript represents a style of typography reoccurring in the world today. The word manuscript is derived from a Latin word meaning written by hand. Manuscripts found in books, magazines, and music publishing today are original (not printed) works by the author or composer.
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