All Seasons

Season 1

  • S01E01 The Making of Letters

    Calligrapher Donald Jackson presents an historical overview of the alphabet from the cave paintings of primitive man more than 35,000 years ago to the stylus and wax tablets of the Romans and the Egyptians' hieroglyphics

  • S01E02 The Pen Is Mightier than the Sword

    Calligrapher Donald Jackson traces the history of the modern alphabet from its beginnings during the Roman Empire to its appearance on Hadrian's Wall in Great Britain to the development of a Carolingian style during the reign of Charlemagne. Jackson demonstrates how the quill pen was made and the techniques of the medieval monks in illuminating manuscripts

  • S01E03 Penman, Printer, and Engraver

    Calligrapher Donald Jackson traces the development of the alphabet from the Middle Ages to the invention of the printing press to advances in making portable pens during the Victorian period. Discusses various styles of lettering including gothic and italic.

  • S01E04 Everyman's Art

    Calligrapher Donald Jackson presents an historical overview of various writing implements from the invention of steel nibs in Birmingham, England, during the Industrial Revolution to the development of the fountain and ball-point pen to the typewriter and word processor of today. Describes how calligraphy has become an art form.