Bestiario

John Seddon (1644-1700), was a famous english writing master, the leading calligrapher of his time, and master of Sir John Johnson’s Free Writing School in Priest’s Court, Foster Lane. His portrait was drawn by William Faithorne and was engraved by John Sturt as the frontispiece for his copy-books, such as ‘The Ingenious youth’s companion’ of c.1690 and ‘The pen-man’s paradise’ of c.1695. These were engraved after his work by others.

Your extra-rare book -

“The Pen-mans Paradise Both pleasent & Profitable OR Examples of all ye usuall hands of this Kingdome. Adorn’d with variety of ffigures an Flourishes done by Command of hand. Each ffigure being one continued & entire Track of the pen most where of may be struck as well Reverse (or to answer bothwayes) as Forward”, London (1965).

- YES (that is the title of the book) was the starting point to these new extra accurated works of Iza W, a series of revivals of the penmanship Seddon’s artworks, animal and human kingdon inspired penmanship forms in the Bestiario font. On the other hand, his highly ornamented animal kingdon inspired capitals and alphabets in the Seddon Penmans Paradise Capitals typeface. The “SeddonsFleurons” completes the collection.

Fantastic choice to elaborated baroque/renaissance inspired and historical accurated layouts.