Exercitatio alphabetica nova et utilissima, variis expressa lingvis et characteribvs : raris ornamentis, vmbris & recessibvs, picture̦, architecturaeque speciosa : nusquam ante hac edita
Exercitatio alphabetica is a 1569 alphabet and penmanship pattern book attributed to Clément Perret, published in Antwerp for writing masters and calligraphers. Its three plates place a framed block of alphabet letters and a looping calligraphic flourish inside dense, symmetrical borders of scrollwork, strapwork, masks and foliage. A designer could take the interlaced cartouche frames, the mirrored ornament and the contrast of fine black line against open white ground for decorative borders and lettering layouts.
