Cherub Alphabet, Germany, 1521
Decorative initial letters were a source of typographic pride to early printers and typefounders. The tradition of decorating books with lavish and allegorical scenes painted by hand had reached its height before the advent of printing, in illuminated books such as the well-known Books of Hours. When printing was developed, it attracted the best artists of the time as illustrators. Here, scenes of childhood are incorporated within the letter shapes. Originally produced as a printer1s sample sheet printed from two blocks, one side with the letters "A, B, C". Some researchers see the hand of Albrecht Durer in the "D, E, F" page, although most attribute the entire work to Hans Weiditz. There is no "J" nor "U" in this alphabet; those upper-case letters were not yet in use. There was also no "W" so I have added this letter from a similar, but later, alphabet.

Open edition screen prints from hand-cut stencils. See illustrations for ink colors; there are some inconsistencies; not all letters are available in all colors. Sold singly.

Image size: 5-1/2 x 5-1/2
Matted size: 11 x 11