You have reached the future home of american-calligraphy.com — a website about the history of American calligraphy, and related topics. Please check back in a few weeks (late April, 2008) if interested.

Meanwhile, here are some definitions:

calligraphy

n. – 1. Handwriting considered to have aesthetic value; the art of writing beautifully. 2. (Fine Arts) Handwriting or hand-lettering of high artistic merit: Wang Xizhi was a master of Chinese calligraphy. 3. (Fine Arts) In painting or drawing, illegible mark-making that resembles letterforms and is characterized by qualities often associated with cursive writing. [1605-15; from Greek kalligraphia – beautiful writing.]

calligrapher

n. – Someone who creates calligraphy. [Usage note: In recent decades, calligrapher has become the umbrella term for this type of lettering artist, working in the Western European tradition, but in this sense the following words were once far more common: penman, scribe, engrosser, and writing master.]

penmanship

n. – 1. Basic skill in handwriting: She is practicing her penmanship. 2. Style or manner of handwriting. 3. Calligraphy (meanings 1 & 2), especially beautiful script writing.