In addition to receiving the Ductus software from Nick, I also received some lovely calligraphy-related presents from Meisterin Katarina Helene ;

• "Medieval Hunting Scenes : The Hunting Book by Gaston Phoebus"

which is excellent for it's diaper work, and also if you want to copy a medieval dog or two.

• "The Bedford Hours" by Janet Backhouse

Wahoo!

This is where I should explain something. I'm actually doing a script analysis of the Bedford Hours and Psalter, not the Bedford Hours (they are two different manuscripts). I'll talk about that in a seperate entry.

She also gave me a present I just adore - a hand made book with a 16th C limp binding made of vellum!

And opened out :-


Note the buttons on the spine to wrap the strings around to close.
I had to put it in my scanner, so the pictures aren't very good. It's a pity the details of the stitching on the spine aren't clearer.

The paper is calligraphy paper - perhaps Arches HP? And the book is quite thick.

The cover is made from vellum. I've talked to Katarina Helene and she says that with a little very fine sandpaper-ing, I'll be able to paint an illuminated letter on the front. :-)
I'm very much looking forward to doing that.

Thankyou so much, Katarina Helene, and thankyou so so much for all of your help