{"title":"Mineralogy Series","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Mineral Series combines Don's love of script lettering with his love of minerals.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"bloodstone","title":"Minerals - Bloodstone with Italian Script","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"Looking like blotches of blood on the green ground, Bloodstone's apt name needs no explanation. Bloodstone is the common folk name for the mineral also know as heliotrope, a green chalcedony (a mixture of quarts) with red jasper (iron oxide) inclusions. Used in jewelry since ancient times, bloodstone was also commonly employed as a good luck charm for self defense, and to guard against blood ailments.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Italian Hand B, saved from doodling done weeks previously, provided me the starting point of this mineral subject. Variations on this B shape were popular with American penmen through the early to mid-1800s. This B is somewhat of a transitional form from the hand evolving from its European origins to what would become a new American style of script. All the small letters are common English-Italian Hand forms, with the exception of the \"st\" combo, which are traditional French shapes I chose to provide more graphic interest. Since the English-Italian Hand evolved from earlier French hands, such mixing of styles was common.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2013, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2013 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42257625284702,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Bloodstone__Don_Marsh_3ddb01f9-1c19-49f2-b3ba-afdd66d4189b.jpg?v=1769216112"},{"product_id":"gabbro-with-italian-script","title":"Minerals - Gabbro - Italian Script","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eHaving recently added a few more rocks to my collection, it seem'd like a good time to add another piece to my Mineralogy Script folder… Gabbro is form'd under high pressure \u0026amp; heat, deep within the Earth. Because it cools slowly it forms large crystals. Gabbro is similar to granite, and one of the most prolific minerals that make up much of the rock just below the Earth's crust, \u0026amp; most of the oceanic crust. Gabbro is often commercially sold under the name \"black granite,\" \u0026amp; is used for kitchen counter-tops, floor tile, grave markers, \u0026amp; such. Gabbro is often mined for its titanium, magnesium, chromium, nickel, cobalt and other valuable metallic content. Its color generally ranges from black to green.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e This specimen is Indigo Gabbro, containing black, dark green, \u0026amp; purplish-gray. — I've render'd this script in a very unique \u0026amp; peculiar form of Italian Hand essentially unknown today. It's my own interpretation of an American variant that was used ornamentally in the early part of the 17th century. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe idea for the \"G\" is based on one of my penmanship heroes, John Ayres, but I've pushed it to the absurd, just for the fun of it. The \"r\" is an extremely rare \u0026amp; purely ornamental form from the 1800s. Also, the most distinguishing feature of this style is the tapered shading with truncated terminations, rather than the club-like shades with rounded terminations normally found in Italian Hand. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf the shading technique looks familiar, that's because Spencer borrow'd it \u0026amp; integrated it into his penmanship style a half century later. When I release my book it will explain and demonstrate how this trait came into being. \"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2019, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2019 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42416226697310,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Gabbro__2019_Don_Marsh_57eee950-cc5a-4d3f-8c99-92297af07517.jpg?v=1769217626"},{"product_id":"crocoite-script","title":"Minerals - Crocoite - Script","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eCrocoite is a beautiful red colored mineral of lead chromate growing in clumps of needle-like crystals. — Coming up with a variety of cap C designs can be a challenge.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e \"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2011, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2011 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42416262021214,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Crocoite__2011_Don_Marsh_c807d7d4-a401-48da-b327-33eceb737365.jpg?v=1769216784"},{"product_id":"unakite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Unakite - English-Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eUnakite has become fairly popular in jewelry craft within the past 20 years, and for obvious reasons; Its a durable, colorful \u0026amp; dramatic stone that polishes nicely. A form of granite, unakite is composed of green epidote, pink feldspar and quartz. — Nothing especially unique in this example of English-Italian hand, so I I tried to fancy-up the U slightly. Also, a simple flourish that was commonly employed in both English Roundhand and English-Italian Hand that I alway loved was the swelled horizontal terminal flourish. This was a trick borrowed from older French scripts styles.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e \"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2011, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2011 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42416271720542,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Unakite__2011_Don_Marsh_c5bc47bc-0178-4a24-9315-fd3bd2d0e4b4.jpg?v=1769219148"},{"product_id":"textite-script-copy","title":"Minerals - Tektite - Script","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThis one has three of my favorite things in one, geology, astronomy \u0026amp; lettering; … Tektites are natural glass specimens, usually black but sometimes green or yellow, formed from the splash of molten material from a prehistoric meteor or comet strike. Unlike meteorites which are found everywhere on Earth, tektites are only found in specific regional fields. Ancient cultures considered these objects, when found, magical and associated them with the gods. Interesting considering the strikes occurred around 800,000 years ago. One 10th century Chinese text says the people working the fields called them \"inkstones of the Thunder Gods.\" \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis T, though one of the more unusual forms within English script hands, was still fairly commonly used 200 years ago. I thought the swelled horizontal terminal flourish served nicely to imply a meteor. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2011, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2011 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42416954114142,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Tektite__2011_Don_Marsh_97ba630a-65ec-4504-b455-190d7e403501.jpg?v=1769218936"},{"product_id":"moldavite-english-script","title":"Minerals - Moldavite - English Script","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eMoldavite is another type of tektite (meteoric glass). Named for the Czech town of Moldauthein where it is found, it's also found in Germany \u0026amp; Austria. Moldavite is a unique green natural glass believed to be formed by the impact of a meteor 15 million years ago in western Bavaria. Moldavite was created from the splash of molten material thrown into the air by the huge meteoric impact, cooling to glass as it fell back to Earth. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cap M's in English-Italian Hand, as in other English Roundhands, can get quite exotic. The trailing spiral flourishes seemed to appropriately imply meteoric tails. The flourish on the e was a common final flourish used on all characters and styles of classic English scripts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2011, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2011 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42416959127646,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Moldavite__2011_Don_Marsh_e11e2657-b941-4ee8-a850-8febb507f499.jpg?v=1769218016"},{"product_id":"wavellite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Wavellite - English-Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe little green nodules on this rock is Wavellite. Not a well known mineral, it is an aluminum phosphate named after its discoverer William Wavell in 1805. Its green crystals are spherical and usually about pea-sized. I thought it would be fun to play off the Wavell name with some wave-like flourishing in this otherwise sedate English-Italian Hand composition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2011, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2011 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42416960438366,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Wavellite__2011_Don_Marsh_e8a8ec2c-0e1e-4f80-b1ea-2617ff5eb438.jpg?v=1769219209"},{"product_id":"azurite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Azurite - English-Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe first in my mineralogy series is one of my most favorite mineral specimens, azurite. Few things in nature rival the intense vibrant blue of azurite.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe style of script in this series is English-Italian Hand, a close second in popularity with the classical English penmen of the 12th \u0026amp; 18th centuries. Its appearance is delicate \u0026amp; airy. It was used more in a decorative capacity than for common usage like English Roundhand. I was often used along with English Roundhand almost like an Italic, to callout initials, key names, titles, etc.. The caps were done with shading running reverse of normal while the small letters were shaded in the usual direction, albeit very lightly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2011, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2011 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42416967876702,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Azurite__2011_Don_Marsh_29a86cd2-ad22-4551-83a7-548743a4f28c.jpg?v=1769215762"},{"product_id":"chrysoprase-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Chrysoprase - English-Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eAnother of my most favorite minerals is chrysoprase, a beautiful translucent bright apple-green chalcedony. Its greenish color comes from its nickel content. Through the 17th \u0026amp; 18th century this stone was very popularly used for carving cameo broaches \u0026amp; jewelry.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of the more unique characters in this English-Italian Hand is the old form \"long s\" which was done from the usual form that looks like an uncrossed f to this simple, flowing form.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2011, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2011 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417005592670,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Chrysoprase__2011_Don_Marsh_a57c9034-206d-492a-9196-1f0b5351a712.jpg?v=1769216659"},{"product_id":"purpurite-script","title":"Minerals - Purpurite - Script","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eHere's one I think folks will like. Purpurite is an iron ore containing manganese phosphate. The beautiful slightly iridescent purple color comes from oxidation of the manganese.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe most unique aspects of this piece are the elaborate knot-work flourishing of the cap P and the parallel descender stem of the small p. This form of small p is historic but was not commonly used. This sort of parallel lines descender may stem from Dutch calligraphic influences.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2011, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2011 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417008705630,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Purpurite__2011_Don_Marsh_b208eaaa-d1f0-406c-87f1-a13fe150ef24.jpg?v=1769218409"},{"product_id":"bornite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Bornite - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eBornite is a copper iron sulfide. This golden metallic mineral gains a beautiful blue \u0026amp; purple iridescence when it oxidizes. It is also known as \"peacock ore.\" — Though there is nothing excessively unique about the letters within this word the English-Italian Hand style still exhibits great elegance \u0026amp; refinement.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2011, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2011 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417012375646,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Bornite__2011_Don_Marsh_6207f432-8cf1-418c-aaeb-722ff810683b.jpg?v=1769216246"},{"product_id":"sulfur-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Sulfur - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eSulfur is not often thought of as collectible. But its bright yellow crystals actually makes a bright \u0026amp; beautiful display. I always gets asked if it stinks. Sulfur specimens don't produce much scent unless rubbed or crushed. In ancient times sulfur was known as brimstone. The word can be spelled with a ph (chiefly Brit.) or an f.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEnglish-Italian Hand often used a long languid cap S so I thought this would make a nice holding-shape for the specimen. This hand used the same form of small r 98% of the time. But as usual, I try to share the rarer forms when possible. The final r is a good example of this. This form of r was used in more of a decorative capacity than in common usage. Unlike the rest of the lowercase characters this form of r was rendered using both normal shading and reversed shading equally. I've used the reverse shading here to create a subtle bracketing with the reverse shading of the cap S.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2011, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2011 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417013653598,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Sulfur__2011_Don_Marsh_547819cf-330c-4643-9e85-3815cc4e125a.jpg?v=1769218882"},{"product_id":"seraphinite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Seraphinite - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eA variety of chlorite mined in Russia, seraphinite is a stone of chatoyant (shimmery 3D iridescence) swirling silver and dark green.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEnglish-Italian Hand frequently utilized cap versions of the old fashion \"long s\" which looks sort of like an uncrossed f. The word Seraphinite was a good opportunity to share a version here.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2011, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2011 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417215406174,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Seraphinite__2011_Don_Marsh_2dbb34f8-a4a3-46a7-9a16-a2f6045030c3.jpg?v=1769218636"},{"product_id":"pararealgar-english-italian-hand-copy","title":"Minerals - Pararealgar - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eRealgar is a soft, brittle red arsenic sulfide often found in mercury mines. When exposed to light realgar eventually disintegrates to become pararealgar, a rich orangish-yellow powdery mineral.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJust as in English Roundhand it was common in English-Italian Hand to utilize many variations of the small r, even within the same word. This word has 3 different forms of r..\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2011, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2011 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417241292894,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Pararealgar__2011_Don_Marsh_8a61fe42-e947-48de-b939-954c9f435ea4.jpg?v=1769218240"},{"product_id":"dioptase-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Dioptase - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eDioptase is a beautiful, ultra-rich looking, deep green transparent crystal. A secondary mineral found in copper mines, it is brittle and must be handled with care. Its copper content provides the green color. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOnce again, the \"long s\" is the most unique feature, providing a nice flourishing opportunity within a word of otherwise relatively simple letterforms.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2011, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2011 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417245651038,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Dioptase__2011_Don_Marsh_2a853f43-4ba9-4630-b03c-8053afbb20b8.jpg?v=1769216884"},{"product_id":"flint-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Flint - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eJust about everyone knows what flint is. A common \u0026amp; abundant stone, flint was one of the most important materials of ancient cultures. A very durable stone, it was used to create sparks to starting fires, and for making all sorts of tools, such as ax heads and arrowheads, such as this one. When I was a young man my grandparents gave me this arrowhead. I was told that my father found this arrowhead when he was around 10 years old and they were on a vacation out west. My father doesn't recall the event.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeing such a common, unglamorous and functional stone, I thought the word should be rendered simply. But to make it somewhat interesting I employed this rare form of cap F.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2011, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2011 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417665835102,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Flint__2011_Don_Marsh_69bf206d-eb01-4f6a-abe8-04f0e72646af.jpg?v=1769217090"},{"product_id":"fuschite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Fuchsite- English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eLooking like silvery-green layers of crumpled cellophane, Fuschite is a green variety of mica. Its green color comes from its chromium content. I've found 3 different spellings for this mineral. The correct spelling is probably Fuchsite since the mineral is named after the mineralogist Fuchs. However, this is the spelling that labeled the specimen when I bought it at the Smithsonian… And I don't feel like redoing the art today!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe F is a design of my own done in the English-Italian hand style. The \"s\" is a variant of the old fashioned \"long s\" no longer in use. I wanted to keep the flourishing on this one lighthearted and open.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2011, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2011 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417688445022,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Fuchsite__2011_Don_Marsh_2ae40e60-ad0d-48d2-bfee-556edf129806.jpg?v=1769217137"},{"product_id":"turquoise-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Turquoise - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eNot the nicest turquoise specimen around, but it's what I've got in my collection. Turquoise is one of the best known of the semiprecious stones due to its prolific use in jewelry. The striking blue to pale green color range is a result of its copper content. If you like turquoise beware of purchasing phony turquoise. more abundant and cheaper howlite is sometimes dyed blue to pass for turquoise.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cap T is my own design following the principles of English-Italian Hand. To make a cap more ornate English-Italian Hand sometimes used knot-work in place of a main stroke, as with the cross of this T.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2011, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2011 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417688903774,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Turquoise__2011_Don_Marsh_17f4c3f9-17d9-48c6-9c16-0281e5457c07.jpg?v=1769219055"},{"product_id":"labradorite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Labradorite - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eLabradorite is a beautiful mineral of the feldspar group. Its iridescent rainbow of colors change \u0026amp; shift holographically as one turns it in the light, a chatoyant effect referred to as labradoresence.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe two most unique letters in this composition are the L, my own design inspired by some French models, and the arching d which was rarely used in the English-Italian Hand though a few examples may be found.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eand sometimes used knot-work in place of a main stroke, as with the cross of this T.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2011, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2011 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417790320734,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Labradorite__2011_Don_Marsh_34a50d79-56c8-435d-b4b5-76b79b6dab35.jpg?v=1769217906"},{"product_id":"bronzite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Bronzite - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eBronzite is a magnesium silicate that has the appearance somewhat like a metallic patchwork quilt of shades from brassy gold to chocolate brown. Bronzite feels very similar to hematite (an iron ore) in one's hand, dense, heavy \u0026amp; cool to the touch. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEnglish-Italian Hand utilized a single-story minuscule \"z\" which I wanted to use rather than the descender form, (this one) so common in scripts, but the descended form penetrated the simple flattened oval flourish I visualized in my original concept. These forms of \"r\" \u0026amp; \"t\" were rarely used in this hand. Sometimes a simple ball-lobe would terminate a beginning hairline as well as an ending one. These lobes on the small letters were done in a light weight similar to that of the lettering while such lobes on the caps were often done overly bold. Versions of this form of \"t\" went on to be adapted and used in some American engrossers' scripts a century later. The \"B\" is my own design following the principles of English-Italian Hand.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2011, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2011 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417869848670,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Bronzite__2011_Don_Marsh_b63fb662-4593-4c04-90a5-a6ff49486e23.jpg?v=1769216443"},{"product_id":"iolite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Iolite - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eIolite is the gemology name for the mineral cordierite. Iolite's color varies from bluish-gray to mauve to purple. The transparent bluish-purple variety is considered gem quality. In fact the name iolite comes from the Greek word for violet. My specimen, as you can see, isn't transparent but looks somewhat like black marble with blue and mauve mixed in.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeing a short, simple word I thought it could use a little dressing up, so I decided to go crazy on the cap I. Since the cap I is essentially just a simple stem character, one must be especially careful when flourishing or swashing it so modifications do not transform the character into another letter.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2011, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2011 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417870831710,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Iolite__2011_Don_Marsh_659b6f87-cbea-4044-9ff3-f5278f4c849a.jpg?v=1769217816"},{"product_id":"moonstone-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Moonstone - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eMoonstone is feldspar of pearly, opalescent translucence that has been popular in jewelry since the times of the Romans. The piece I have isn't that big, but I think it's a beautiful little specimen. I especially find the fracture lines attractive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe M is my own design. I've never seen anything like it used in English-Italian Hand, but it follows all the principles of the hand and would bee comfortable in the company of the other historic caps within the style. Another unique feature of this this composition that I've not seen in historic examples of English-Italian Hand are the st ligature \u0026amp; this form of t, both of which, tho uncommon, may be found in English Roundhand. English penmen frequently merged various English Roundhand traits into their English-Italian Hand. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2011, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2011 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417871323230,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Moonstone__2011_Don_Marsh_7f76c6d6-613d-4f02-af24-4d0389904e70.jpg?v=1769218122"},{"product_id":"kyanite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Kyanite - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eKyanite is not particularly rare but few people are familiar with it. Kyanite's crystals grow in long shards and possess a unique shade of blue with a silvery sheen. It is occasionally used in jewelry, but being so unique I'm surprised it is not seen more often.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn English-Italian Hand the K, as is usual with script styles caps, provided the best opportunity to dress up the design. I also utilized a French form of \"t\" as the English scribes occasionally did. I decided to place the focus on the flourishing to create a sort of nimbus enclosing the word, with a space left for placement of the kyanite specimen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2011, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2011 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417875157086,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Kyanite__2011_Don_Marsh_9b73b70f-73ea-4d35-834b-d5333fb963ea.jpg?v=1769217859"},{"product_id":"okenite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Okenite - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eOkenite is easily one of the most fascinating of minerals. When people see it they want to touch it to see if it is as soft \u0026amp; fluffy as the white cotton balls which it looks like. Consequently it must to be displayed in a protective container to prohibit handling because if touched its delicate crystals are destroyed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeing a short simple word I thought I'd flourish it up a bit. I wanted to make the flourishing a sort of self-contained unit. The form of \"t\" shown here was very rare in English-Italian Hand, but a few historically similar examples may be found.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2011, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2011 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417875615838,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Okenite__2011_Don_Marsh_cebfc2fb-65b4-47c7-b183-e5978b75651f.jpg?v=1769218168"},{"product_id":"dalmation-stone-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Dalmation Stone - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eDalmatian Stone is a form of Jasper (aka chalcedony), which is essentially an opaque form of quartz. Jasper occurs in a wide variety of beautiful colors \u0026amp; patterns, so is popular in jewelry craft. I don't think one need comment on how Dalmatian Stone gets its name.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 2 most interesting features of this example of English-Italian Hand are probably the cap long-S and the bisecting flourish between the n \u0026amp; S. Flourishes are almost always done in the area surrounding the line of words like a nimbus. But in old styles of flourishing they were sometimes also done between words as in this example.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2012, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2012 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417876828254,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Dalmation_Stone__2012_Don_Marsh_a5666269-3e6f-4b9a-9ae0-48b4a6a0c094.jpg?v=1769216832"},{"product_id":"amazonite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Amazonite - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eAmazonite, named after the Amazon River, is a dramatic blue-green feldspar which has become fairly popular in modern jewelry for obvious reasons. Blue mineral colors are usually caused by copper content, but in the case of Amazonite it appears the coloration is more a result of lead.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI got playful with this design; The \"A\" is an old-style French form of script cap rendered in an English-Italian Hand manner and ligatured to the \"m.\" English-Italian Hand utilized both a descending z (as in my Azurite piece) and a body-sized z (i.e., x-height). This is a body-sized z, but with an extended exit flourish. Small, rippling terminal flourishes are fairly common within English-Italian Hand.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2012, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2012 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417880760414,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Amazonite__2012_Don_Marsh_58f12cff-1176-4d84-be3d-9e6c1e93a55b.jpg?v=1769215424"},{"product_id":"larimar-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Larimar - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eLarimar is a very rare, beautiful sky blue form of pectolite found only in the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean. The color of this mineral always reminds me of an aerial view of the sky \u0026amp; waters around the Caribbean islands.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn English-Italian Hand, knot-work flourishing was often used to dress up a cap letter. This form of flourish was handed down from the older, true Italian styles. The final letter is a rare form of r, and when employed was almost always used only at the end of a word or an abbreviation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2012, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2012 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417881514078,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Larimar__2012_Don_Marsh_3432af04-230c-428c-8ec7-5412c9463b9f.jpg?v=1769217968"},{"product_id":"chalcanthite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Chalcanthite - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eA beautiful gift from a truly wonderful friend, Pamela Kaufmann. This is chalcanthite, a water-soluble sulfate of rich electric blue crystals. The color derives from copper, the name from Greek meaning copper flower. Chalcanthite is commonly found growing on the walls of old copper mines where ground water contacts oxidized copper, as the water evaporates it leaves behind chalcanthite crystals.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe elegance of the English-Italian Hand is a perfect vehicle to celebrate such a rich mineral. I have no special notes regarding this lettering art, other than it gave me the opportunity to express my joy of such a kind gift! This chalcanthite now enjoys a prominent spot in my mineral collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2012, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2012 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417881874526,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Chalcanthite__2012_Don_Marsh_93210d17-ed80-41a3-a2d3-3e69027bda05.jpg?v=1769216535"},{"product_id":"pyromorphite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Pyromorphite - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003ePyromorphite is another favorite from my mineral collection. A dramatic rich green crystalized form of oxidized lead ore, it's name derives from the Greek for \"fire\" and \"form.\" The crystals of this mineral are rather delicate so must be handled with care. Pyromorphite can also be found in shades of yellow and brown, but it is the bright green variety that is usually sought by collectors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the English-Italian Hand, the cap characters P, R, \u0026amp; B were sometimes rendered with a tight loop at the apex of the letter, as on this P, lending a distinctly ornamental form.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2012, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2012 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417883742302,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Pyromorphite__2012_Don_Marsh_dd132647-8baf-43d0-b68a-cd9c710a9e90.jpg?v=1769218531"},{"product_id":"amber-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Amber - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eI've always been drawn to amber, even to the point of considering it my birthstone, though it isn't stone. In fact, tho collected as a gemstone, amber isn't a mineral at all. Amber is fossilized resin of an extinct species of pine which grew 45 million years ago. Amber often contains a variety of preserved inclusions such as insects or plant materials which can increase its value \u0026amp; collectibility greatly. This specimen from my collection contains a chunk of bark from the tree of its origin. Amber was known as electrum to the ancient Greeks due to it's ability to hold a static charge.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI loved playing with the creation of this exuberant English-Italian Hand cap \"A.\" In this hand, sometimes the initial \"over turn\" hairline of the m or n small letters were elevated as shown here. This trait is a carryover from the older original French \u0026amp; Italian styles from which English-Italian Hand evolved. As part of the flourishing, I have integrated a medieval alchemical sigil for amber, the bit that looks like a \"23\" with a dot in the counter of the \"2.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2012, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2012 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417891410014,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Amber__2012_Don_Marsh_b854ef85-77cf-4d2a-ba69-2f85a4af30aa.jpg?v=1769215051"},{"product_id":"galena-english-italian-hand-copy","title":"Minerals - Galena - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThis bluish-silver-gray mineral specimen is Galena, which is lead sulfide. Galena is the principle ore from which we obtain lead and has been mined since the times of the Egyptians. Galena also often contains significant amounts of silver. Note the gold tinge along the left of the specimen which is pyrite, another mineral galena is commonly found with. I find a simple subtle beauty in this common ore.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2012, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2012 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417892950110,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Galena__2012_Don_Marsh_9c717166-82ad-40e3-9aa0-01437ef06f22.jpg?v=1769217675"},{"product_id":"zincite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Zincite - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eHaven't added any art to my Mineral Series for awhile, so… This is Zincite (zinc oxide crystals). Zincite's clear to translucent crystals can occur in a variety of colors depending on impurities, but is most commonly found in the golden yellow to candy apple green range.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn this English Italian Hand composition, being a short word with no ascenders or descenders one must find other opportunities to dress up the design, such as with with ancillary flourishing. I first chose a rarely used form of Z for this hand which lead to the rest of the flourishing. My intent was to create a sort of nest for the mineral specimen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2012, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2012 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417893539934,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Zinctite__2014_Don_Marsh.jpg?v=1769219322"},{"product_id":"dumortierite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Dumortierite - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eIt has been awhile since I've created something for my mineral series, so… Dumortierite is not one of the more well known minerals, but the deepness of its blue has always made it one of my favorites… \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe D is an old French Roundhand form I find as fun as it is beautiful. The minuscules are standard Italian Hand except for the r's and central t, which were forms rarely found in Italian Hand.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2013, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2013 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417894260830,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Dumortierite__2014_Don_Marsh.jpg?v=1769216931"},{"product_id":"brochantite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Brochantite - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eIt has been a couple months since my last Mineralogy-Script post, so… This deep green mineral is Brochantite, a copper sulfate mineral. Its emerald green to dark blue-green color derives from its copper content. The Crystals of this mineral specimen are either fine needle-like crystals or prismatic crystal clusters. This small specimen has both.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe English-Italian Hand script done here is relatively unremarkable as I have chosen to be conservative with the minuscules \u0026amp; flourishing; the one exception being the fancy cap B.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2013, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2013 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417894359134,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Brochantite__2014_Don_Marsh.jpg?v=1769216303"},{"product_id":"peridot-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Peridot - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eIt has been a couple months since my last Mineralogy-Script post, so… This deep green mineral is Brochantite, a copper sulfate mineral. Its emerald green to dark blue-green color derives from its copper content. The Crystals of this mineral specimen are either fine needle-like crystals or prismatic crystal clusters. This small specimen has both.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe English-Italian Hand script done here is relatively unremarkable as I have chosen to be conservative with the minuscules \u0026amp; flourishing; the one exception being the fancy cap B.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2013, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2013 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417906352222,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Peridot__2014_Don_Marsh.jpg?v=1769218293"},{"product_id":"apophyllite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Apophyllite - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eA favorite from my mineral collection, apophyllite is popular with collectors. I'm not sure why I'm so fond of this piece. I think it may be because it reminds me of old Coke bottle glass from when I was a kid. I also like the neat crystal structure of a cube with beveled corners. You can't see it in this image, but if held up to the light one can see another crystal cube inside this one.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn this art I added a strong French influence to my Italian Hand as the early English Writing Masters such as More, Wigan, Seddon, \u0026amp; Ayres would have done. I also purposely chose characters here which fell into disuse by about 1720 in favor of the more simplified forms that resulted through the refinement of Italian Hand by the next generation of English Writing Masters, penmen such as Clark, Bickham, Champion, Austin, et al.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2014, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2014 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417912447070,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Apophyllite__2014_Don_Marsh.jpg?v=1769214920"},{"product_id":"blue-lace-agate-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Blue Lace Agate - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eAnother installment in my mineral series: A favorite with many people, Blue Lace Agate is a microcrystaline quartz in the chalcedony family, like all agates. It has become very popular in jewelry in modern times. Its soft blue color results from containing copper salts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe lettering here is, once again, in an earlier and more fine-lined variant of the Early English style of Italian Hand. (I've been on an early Italian Hand kick lately.) The drama of this design is exclusively in the knot-work of the caps \u0026amp; underscore; the patterns of which are inspired by the preceding French penmen. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2014, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2014 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417913790558,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Blue_Lace_Agate__2014_Don_Marsh.jpg?v=1769216179"},{"product_id":"siderite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Siderite - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe mineral Siderite is iron carbonate. It is commonly found in the rock of coal veins, hydrothermal veins and bogs. Siderite is named from the Greek word sidiros = iron. The translucent crystals of siderite commonly range in color from light yellowish-brown to dark greenish-brown, but can also be found in yellow, gray or even white or black depending on additional chemical influences. Often associated with galena (a form of lead ore), the crystals of my specimen shown here are adhered to pyrite, an iron mineral also known as \"Fool's Gold.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Italian Hand style I've rendered here is more of the early English type, which is rounder and still strongly influenced by the French from than later variants. For instance, the S and t are pure French. The r is a rare form that has long been a favorite of mine. The S and d were inspired by the work of Writing Master John Seddon (1644-1700).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2014, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2014 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417915101278,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Siderite__2014_Don_Marsh.jpg?v=1769218780"},{"product_id":"prehnite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Prehnite  - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003ePrehnite is a mineral named in 1774 in honor of a Dutch Colonel who was a mineral collector. Its color varies from a milky light green to yellow or white, tho' other colors on rare occasions are found. It is a brittle silicate composed principally of calcium and aluminum.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn this example of Italian Hand, the cap P is based on a common form, but I have continued the strokes to more elaborate conclusions to create the flourishing on the left half of the design. Being a short word with relatively uninteresting letters, I dressed it up a bit by using two of my favorite eccentric characters, this r \u0026amp; t. This rare form of r began to appear in the works of English penmen near the end of the 1700's. This form of t, on the other hand, was very common, but being a purely French style it was rarely used by English penmen after the early stages of Italian Hand's development (c. 1680-1715).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2014, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2014 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42417918410846,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Prehnite__2014_Don_Marsh_38ed9101-a584-4220-9c9d-9b34c1bebc86.jpg?v=1769218352"},{"product_id":"tourmaline-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Tourmaline  - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eTourmaline is one of the most popular minerals of collectors. Classified as a gemstone, it is a complex crystal composed of aluminum boron silicate combined with a variety of other minerals that produces tourmaline in just about every color imaginable. In fact, specimens of tourmaline are often found multi-colored, another reason for its popularity with collectors. Tourmaline also possesses other interesting properties. When heated then allowed to cool, it takes on a positive charge at one end of the crystal and a negative charge at the other. This specimen from my collection is not particularly attractive as tourmalines go, but Tourmaline tends to be quite pricey and this is all I could afford. Still, I find it beautiful.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMy accompanying Italian Hand composition is a fairly standard late-English (second half of 1700s) style Italian Hand minuscule. The capital, on the other hand, is an over-the-top majuscule following the principles of Italian Hand's French originators as popularized in England by Writing-Master John Ayres around the beginning of the 1700s. The hole in the shade of the T-cross would result from a pen-skip which occurs from spreading the nib (or quill) tines too far apart for the capillary action to allow the ink to flow to the tip if pressed down excessively; then the ink flow resuming as the tines come back together as the pressure is released. This playful contrivance became a motif Ayres enjoyed employing. The flourish style on this piece is essentially my own.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2014, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2014 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42418304286814,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Tourmaline__2014_Don_Marsh_1fb331ba-ce3d-4823-8768-af049938db61.jpg?v=1769218977"},{"product_id":"pyrite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Pyrite  - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003ePyrite often fooled inexperienced miners into believing they had discovered gold, hence its popular nickname \"Fools Gold.\" Pyrite is a common mineral found all over the world. Chemically, pyrite is iron disulfide and has a simple cubic crystal structure. As a result natural forming cubes, such as this specimen, are common. The actual size of this specimen is almost exactly 1 inch square.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCalligraphically, I wanted to create a P that would utilize pointed flourish features to imply the sharp corners of Pyrite's cubic shape despite being in the otherwise very flowing style of Italian Hand. Also, having a penchant for using interesting variations in letterforms, with the exception of the standard i \u0026amp; e, the rest of the small letters are historic but of a less common sort: The 'y' is an old form dating back to early French variations. The 'r' is a later English Italian hand variant. The 't' is an early English variant directly evolved from French forms. Even so, with Italian Hand being an adaptive bastard hand, there is no reason why all these variants wouldn't have been used together by the 1770s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2016, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2016 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42418329124958,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Pyrite__2016_Don_Marsh_77f338e4-e8d3-43d1-81d7-97f7d5b08ad1.jpg?v=1769214220"},{"product_id":"cinnabar-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Cinnabar - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe deep red crystals nestled in the white matrix of white quartz and mica is cinnabar. Cinnabar is mercury sulfide and the most common mineral mined for producing mercury. Cinnabar is found all around the world wherever there are volcanoes which lead to the mineral's formation. Despite its toxicity, which has been known since antiquity, cinnabar's bright red color has been highly prized throughout history for making pigments for everything imaginable: cosmetic rouge, paints (commonly called vermillion), inks, Chinese red lacquer, jewelry, etc. The red \"inks\" of the rubricators found in mediaeval manuscripts was often derived from cinnabar.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI envisioned this cinnabar specimen from my collection as a sort of diadem nested atop calligraphic design. The meandering C is based on a French Bastarda, circa 1600. Its back-sloping characteristic was a common feature of many French capitals throughout the 1600s. The rest of the Italian Hand minuscules are composed of common later English (1760–1800) style. The spiral nature of the flourish-work is another 17th century French style that was adopted by later English penmen and remained a popular technique up through the American penmen of the 1800s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2016, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2016 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42418343149662,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Cinnabar__2016_Don_Marsh_10816558-4e72-41f1-bda3-f8aa874619f5.jpg?v=1769216703"},{"product_id":"epidote-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Epidote- English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eEpidote is the name used for both a group of silicate and for the most crystal variant of that group. Epidote is a common and abundant mineral that forms secondarily in marble, schistose, and other metamorphic rocks (rock formed under extreme heat \u0026amp; pressure). Its color is most commonly a dark to olivine green. In crystal form epidote looks somewhat like green quartz, which if of high quality can cut and used as a gem in jewelry. Unfortunately, the only epidote I have in my collection is this tumbled specimen. But it still makes for a pretty addition to the collection. The green mottling present in the specimen is the epidote.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe English form of Italian Hand I've chosen here displays a mix of both early \u0026amp; later style characteristics with a strong French influence (a common characteristic of early English penmen). The French influence is especially seen in the continuous movement winding \"t\" and the flourishing in the capital E. The \"p\" is a blending of traits from John Ayres and Charles Snell, both famed English Writing Masters from the period just before the dominance of George Bickham and his peers (pre-1715). I know I've seen this variant of \"o\" before, though I can't recall where. Perhaps some old manuscript? I chose it simply for its uniqueness and because I don't think I've used it in any other piece before.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2016, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2016 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42418345345118,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Epidote__2016_Don_Marsh_7bb05c20-434f-4398-9be4-5c02c56efeb1.jpg?v=1769216979"},{"product_id":"aragonite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Aragonite - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eAragonite is calcium carbonate and chemically the same as the more common calcite, but with a different crystal structure, usually growing in clumps of hexagonally shaped tubes. White to milky clear, inclusions of sand gives specimens a brown color. Aragonite is a principle component of pearl and coral.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCalligraphically, the \"A\" is a creation of my own with the rest of the letterforms being fairly common Italian Hand. The two notable exceptions are the \"r\" \u0026amp; \"g.\" The \"g\" is, again, my own creation where I took advantage of a happy accident that gave me the opportunity to marry one of the flourishes to the body of the \"g\" to form a script \"linked-g.\" I've never seen a \"g\" like this in historical Italian Hand. The \"r,\" though not familiar to today's eye, was in continual use from 1600 up to 1900; from Lucas Materot circa 1608, to Silas Packard circa 1890; used in Italy, France, Holland, England, and eventually America.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2016, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2016 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42418378997854,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Aragonite__2016_Don_Marsh_6169ce99-439b-4c05-9e51-c001a702723e.jpg?v=1769215939"},{"product_id":"staurolite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Staurolite - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eStaurolite: It's easy to see why numerous religious and folklore legends have been associated with staurolite throughout time. From the Greek, stauros (cross) + lithos (stone); the natural cross-shaped crystal formation (known as \"twinning\") of staurolite has long made the mineral a good luck talisman, especially in association with Christianity. Chemically, staurolite is aluminum iron silicate hydroxide with various other trace minerals. Other than as a souvenir, staurolite is principally used by mineralogists to estimate temperature, depth \u0026amp; pressure at which rock undergoes metamorphism.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Italian Hand style I've rendered here is essentially my own but based on the early English form of Italian Hand (popular about 1690 to 1710). The English originally adopted the French style of Italian Hand; but by 1690 Italian Hand began taking a distinctive English style. The early French influence is clearly exhibited in the spiraling flourish patterns \u0026amp; wavy line strokes, as well as in the t, o, \u0026amp; a minuscule shapes and the exaggerated lobes on the a \u0026amp; o.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2016, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2016 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42418390270046,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Staurolite__2016_Don_Marsh_4275678e-7845-4585-961d-ccc77b206d8e.jpg?v=1769214148"},{"product_id":"ulexite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Ulexite - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eUlexite is named after G.L. Ulex, the chemist who discovered the mineral. Its chemical composition is hydrous sodium calcium borate. Most popular in fibrous form, it can also grow in nodule form, or cotton-ball-like form, also very popular with collectors. Ulexite is too soft to be suitable for gem use other than as cabochons which exhibit beautiful chatoyance, and will dissolve in hot water. Though a beautiful material in and of itself, it is the unique property of Ulexite's fibrous form that gives it the nickname \"Television Stone\" or \"TV Rock\" that makes it popular with many collectors. When the terminating ends of a specimen are polished, because all the fibers are parallel and compacted together, images at one end can be viewed at the other. This optical effect is the result of its crystal fibers acting as tiny fiber-optic cables transmitting light from one end to the other. The specimen from my collection is not particularly beautiful and has a somewhat moonstone-like appearance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome points of interest in my calligraphic composition rendered in a late-era (c.1780s) English Italian Hand are: certainly, the very elaborate 'U', the intricate 'x', and the uncommon 'te' ligature where the t-cross swoops down to form the high-crossed eye of the 'e'.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2016, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2016 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42418407931998,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Ulexite__2016_Don_Marsh_9ce9b302-9e17-457e-ba2d-67313b4f93f0.jpg?v=1769219100"},{"product_id":"chalcopyrite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Chalcopyrite - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eINTRO NOTE: I chose \"Peacock Ore\" for my next subject, but decided to switch to the mineral's actual name, Chalcopyrite. I did not remember having already covered this same mineral specimen under the name Bornite. (Bornite art: \u003cspan class=\"html-span xdj266r x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak xexx8yu xyri2b x18d9i69 x1c1uobl x1hl2dhg x16tdsg8 x1vvkbs\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n x18oe1m7 x1sy0etr xstzfhl x972fbf x10w94by x1qhh985 x14e42zd x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 x3ct3a4 xdj266r x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak xexx8yu xyri2b x18d9i69 x1c1uobl x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xkrqix3 x1sur9pj xzsf02u x1s688f\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo\/?fbid=320422117983244\u0026amp;set=a.315884388437017\u0026amp;__tn__=-UK*F\" role=\"link\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003ehttps:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=320422117983244\u0026amp;set=a.315884388437017.98221.100000463744595\u0026amp;type=3\u0026amp;theater\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e), Bornite \u0026amp; Chalcopyrite are very close but technically not exactly the same thing. Bornite = Cu5FeS4, Chalcopyrite = CuFeS2, Pyrite = FeS2 [no copper]. The two are easily confused and often sold to collectors as the same thing. Being 90% finished with my art before realizing the duplication, I decided to include this new art just for the calligraphy.\u003cbr class=\"html-br\"\u003e\u003cbr class=\"html-br\"\u003eChalcopyrite (folk name Peacock Ore) is a copper iron sulfide and derives its name from the Greek: chalkos (copper) + pyrites (on fire). A prime source of copper, Chalcopyrite is one of the oldest ores humans have worked with leading to the Copper Age. The iridescent purple is the result of sulfide oxidation which occurs when a specimen is exposed to air.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe calligraphy is my own take on late-English Italian Hand. The whole composition is fairly standard, excepting the majuscule C which, tho' one of the most common shape-variants, is a bit more ornate than what was common in the 1700s. Also, I chose to use an older style variant of \"p\" which I have always liked, with a head-stem loop and the rather uncommon ligature with the \"o.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2016, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2016 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42418429755486,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Chalcopyrite.__2016_Don_Marsh_10ab76aa-220e-4dd8-a2a9-a0b049d407a6.jpg?v=1769216595"},{"product_id":"wulfenite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Wulfenite - English Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eWulfenite was named in honor of Franz von Wulfen, an Austrian mineralogist. Wulfenite is Lead Molybate and is found as a secondary mineral in lead deposits where molybdenum is present. Wulfenite is toxic, so should be handled with care. I keep mine in a small, clear plastic cube. Though not the bright red or orange color most prized by collectors, this specimen in my collection does possess nice crystal formation and beautiful luster.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe most unique aspects of this Italian Hand piece are the uncommon, old-style \"f,\" and the stubby French-style 't.'\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2016, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2016 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42418432540766,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Wulfenite__2016_Don_Marsh_3427d743-2561-4fb2-b722-2e58c50eaa97.jpg?v=1769219251"},{"product_id":"howlite-english-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Howlite - Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eHowlite (Calcium Borosilicate Hydroxide) was first discovered in Nova Scotia by Canadian geologist Henry How. A white to pale gray mineral with dark gray veining, howlite is used principally in jewelry and as an ornamental stone. Howlite carves nicely, takes polishing well, and is porous so is easily dyed. Consequently, howlite with its veining, is often used to counterfit other more expensive stones, such as lapis lazuli, coral, and especially turquoise. It has been estimated that as much as 90% of turquoise sold is actually blue-dyed howlite. So if you're fond of turquoise and want the real thing, buyer beware! \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn my Mineral Script Series I render the calligraphy in various forms of classic English Italian Hand: old-style (early 1700s), late-style (later 1700s), and occassionally showing the strong French influences (late-1600s style), as the English adopted the hand from the French… This style of Italian Hand is new to the Series, the little known American style (early-1800s). This is a pre-Spencerian style. By the late-1800s, while some of Italian Hand's majuscule shapes were emulated by Spencerian penmen, their Italian Hand, for the most part, was not really Italian Hand, but merely Spencerian done with French shading… American style Italian Hand was often bolder, rounder, and a little more casual than the earlier English style. Also it tended to place the shades of the minuscules in the lower 2\/3rds of the x-height. As the 17th century progressed the turns became more semi-angular. Just as with other American styles of the early-1800s, the flourishing became less complex with a shift toward stronger Dutch tendencies\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2016, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2016 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42418443190366,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Howlite__2016_Don_Marsh_681f17e2-9385-4e68-88d5-98431d480fa3.jpg?v=1769214055"},{"product_id":"copper-italian-hand","title":"Minerals - Copper - Italian Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eCopper is such an important, interesting, and basically essential mineral it would be easy to write an entire book on it. This small specimen from my collection was bright \u0026amp; shiny when I bought it years ago, but has since oxidized. The symbol for copper is Cu from the Latin Cuprum. Easily distinguishable and usable directly from the ground, copper was the first metal to be smelted by humans ending the Stone Age around 7000 years ago (use of gold began about the same time). Copper was also the first to be cast into shapes, and the first to be used to create alloys, leading to the Bronze age. Used originally for everything from money, to tools, to jewelry due to its ductilibility and toughness; later it was prized for its more complex properties, such as: conduction of heat and electricity, its corrosion resistance, antibacterial properties, as a pigment in glass \u0026amp; paints, and an important mineral in medicine and the body's metabolism.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCalligraphically… Copper is a deceptively simple word with the o, e, \u0026amp; r providing limited options for getting fancy, the greatest opportunities come from the double-p, and of course, the capital C. This example of Italian Hand is in the late English style. The C, double-p with an unorthodox 'o-p' ligature are my own contrivance. The 'pp' actually came to me quite clearly in a vision as I was thinking about doing this mineral the day before starting, which is why it became the next in my Mineral Script series. While the style of this double-p may follow the late English form (early 1800s), the ductus is more akin to the early English style (late 1600s).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e~2017, Don Marsh~\u003cbr\u003e©2017 Don Marsh\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Don Marsh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42418444992606,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/files\/Copper__2016_Don_Marsh_ab576ad7-529e-4d46-bcae-cdf99c98da04.jpg?v=1769216743"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0640\/7828\/2846\/collections\/FunkyMad_2v_copy_94b50948-2f6b-44e3-8cd4-9d8b9c65d96b.jpg?v=1769058259","url":"https:\/\/donmarsharchive.com\/collections\/calligraphy-copy.oembed?page=2","provider":"Don Marsh","version":"1.0","type":"link"}