About the book:

For this project, I developed the hand-written calligraphy, page design, and binding. This book contains Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets, entirely handwritten in calligraphy and reproduced with a photo method on the book pages. The vertical and horizontal elements of the letters, the tails, strokes, and the connections between them create rhythms for each page, the relations with the metallic parts on the binding, and the entire book. The title page has been created as an independent artwork: a poster that can be printed in a large format. It represents a combination of handwritten calligraphy with the poet’s name and typographic letters. 

The book was exhibited at the Biennale Designer Bookbinders International Competition, and published in the catalogue, Oxford, UK, 2013. 

The prototype of the book, but in an oversize format, is held at the Archives and Special Collections (ARCC), Western University, London ON, Canada. 

The are two editions of this book: 

1st limited edition, entirely crafted by hand, with leather bookbinding. The calligraphy is reproduced on high-quality paper, and the edition includes a poster with one of the sonnets. 

Unlike the prototype of the book held at the ARCC, this is a miniature edition focused on the accuracy and precision of hand-made work: two-level leather binding is just 17 x 24.5 cm, with incrustation reproducing hand-carved calligraphy, and thin metallic parts with etchings placed on the cover that resemble a  lace ornament. (see pictures below)

2nd hybrid edition, with the calligraphy digitally reproduced on beautiful paper, and a new design of the handmade bookbinding. Book size: 12.5 x 21.5 cm.