There are numerous publications about handwriting in general and Italic handwriting specifically, the majority of the latter being published in the UK in the 1950s and 60s. While no longer in print these are well worth the effort of tracking down (see Related Links for details of specialist booksellers) and have more to offer than their undeniable period charm.

Particularly recommended are those by Alfred Fairbank and Tom Gourdie in the UK, and Fred Eager and Lloyd Reynolds in the US, who have all produced excellent Italic guides.

Nancy Winters' book, A Simple Guide to Italic Handwriting, available from The Society.

Society Publications

The following two publications can be ordered from The Treasurer. For postage costs and details of how to order, email [email protected].

Handwriting Manual

A Simple Guide to Italic Handwriting by Nancy Winters. Price: £5 (ex p&p).

50th Anniversary Book

Dance of the Pen: Celebrating 50 years of The Society 1952-2002, edited by John Fricker, Foster Neville and Ludwig Tan. Price: £15 (ex p&p).

Starting Italic by Nick the Nibs

While this book is aimed at beginners, it also serves as a useful refresher course for those who wish to go back to the basics of the beautiful Italic script.

The author is Nicholas Caulkin, Secretary of the Society for Italic Handwriting (SIH) and editor of the Society’s’ quarterly journal.

The book measures 21 cm by 14.8cm (A5 size), comprising 44 pages, with a foreword by Foster Neville, Chairman of the SIH. 

The price is £8 plus p&p as follows: UK: £1.10   Overseas: £3.90.

To order, please send your payment via bank transfer to the SIH’s bank.  These are the details you’ll need:

Bank: Barclays Bank UK PLC.
Sort code: 20 41 41
Account number: 40528927
Bank’s address: Leicester, LE87 2BB, UK
Bank’s account holder: The Society for Italic Handwriting
IBAN number: GB35 BUKB 2041 4140 5289 27
SWIFTBIC number: BUKBGB22

Remember to include your name as a reference and email me (address below) to say that you have ordered the book.

If overseas, you can also use Western Union, Wise or any other payment company.

If you are in the UK and don’t wish to use bank transfer, you can send a cheque, made payable to The SIH to The Secretary, SIH, 5 Butlers Close, Butlers Road, Handsworth Wood, Birmingham B20 2PF, UK.

An A4 PDF version of this book is also available for £8.  For further details, or if you have any other queries, please email me on [email protected] 

All proceeds from the sale of both versions of the book go to the SIH.

Publication Covers

A selection of covers from related or interesting publications is shown below. Click on a thumbnail to view a larger image.