The Book of Ornamental Alphabets

Freeman Gage Delamotte (1814-1862) was a master draughtsman and engraver, with a desire to make the essential and beautiful accessible. From his studios on London's Strand he published a series of books of designs and letterforms for artists and designers: these went on to become best-sellers, reprinting repeatedly through the Victorian age and dramatically influencing the aesthetics and applied arts of the entire era. A publishing professional, Alan Anderson has written books about his twin passions: the history of the written word (Ornamental Alphabets, Ilex, 2018) and cycling (Muck, Sweat & Gears, Carlton, 2011). He lives in Hove (UK) and is currently working on a third book, about suffering and pain.