Calligraphy notebook.- Sambix (Felix van) Novvel Abc, printed title within woodcut frame, reading 'Waesberghe, Rotterdam, 1615', woodcut decorative initials throughout, folding engraved portrait of  after Miereveld Michiel Janszoon van, by Delff Willem Jacobsz (1619), lacking printed leaves after V, including 17 manuscript pages of calligraphy specimens in different languages, first and last pages initialised "Delft November 1631, FVS",  occasional spotting, some dust soiling and light toning, limp vellum, upper cover inscribed "Sambix aged 70, 1631", soiled, oblong 8v0, Delft?, 1615-31 [the item is sold as a manuscript] *** Unrecorded calligraphy notebook. A copy of a similar manuscript is at the Bibliothèque nationale et universitaire de Strasbourg. In the 17th century, writing was a skill reserved only for the educated and calligraphy, referred to as the ‘Tenth Muse’, was considered an art form. Felix Van Sambix was one of the most illustrious penmen in the Low Countries at the end of the 16th century. He became a teacher in 1571. After the publication of his first work in 1585 ('New ABC', Antwerp), he moved to Delft, where worked as a schoolmaster. He won the first prize at the “Prix de la Plume Couronnée” in 1590. Waesberghe was a city printer in Rotterdam. He is considered one of the most important typographers and publishers in the first decades of the 17th century. Jan mainly made a name for himself with his schoolbooks (see Anthony R.A. Croiset van Uchelen, Dutch writing masters and 'The prix de la plume couronnée', in Quaerendo 6 (1976) p. 319-346).