Annually 2026

[Richard-Eastham]

Having read the latest Annually, that includes the wonderfully obscure fact that Chris did the lettering for an ITV book series edited by Neil, making it their first official published collaboration, I went to eBay and bought a copy. The credits show that Eric Watson took the cover photos.

There were two in the series, “Dangerous Animals” as featured in Annually, but also “Animals and People” and this one – rather brilliantly – includes a series of dogs: Afghan Hound, Greyhound, Chihuahua, Maltese Terrier, Basset Hound, Pointer and Poodle.

I might get some of these drawings scanned, printed and framed. They look like small, unusual, antique art prints. If you know, you know.

[nonesuch]

That's a great find. Chris has lovely handwriting. I suppose he had to label architectural drawings.

[Sandy Shaw]

Could anyone who has received their copy yet tell me if there is a question asked by someone called Jon in the letters section?
I thought I’d pre-ordered a copy but somehow haven’t!

Thanks

There isn't...

Thanks for looking

That's OK. Sorry if that was disappointing for you.

[DopeFiend]

How fascinating! That's definitely his handwriting too. It's the same as his signature and scrawlings on some of the cassettes we've seen photos of.

[petshopgrrl]

Having read in the latest Annually that includes the wonderfully obscure fact that Chris did the lettering for an ITV book series edited by Neil, making it their first official published collaboration, I went on eBay and bought a copy. The credits show that Eric Watson took the cover photos.

There were two in the series, “Dangerous Animals” as featured in Annually, but also “Animals and People” and this one – rather brilliantly – includes a series of dogs: Afghan Hound, Greyhound, Chihuahua, Maltese Terrier, Basset Hound, Pointer and Poodle.

I might get some of these drawings scanned, printed and framed. They look like small, unusual, antique art prints. If you know, you know.

How cool is that - Chris's first list! Interestingly, not one of those dogs made it to his "I want a dog" list. (The chihuahua doesn't count - it gets the whole song.) Nice of Neil to find him a side gig to help pay off those crushing student debts, eh?

I do love his handwriting. Wouldn't mind a whole font of that. It definitely does look like that West End sample cassette. Of course I can't find a nice picture of the tape right now but this is a screenshot from the Imagine documentary.

psb-imagine-westendtape3.png

[Gabby]

Having read in the latest Annually that includes the wonderfully obscure fact that Chris did the lettering for an ITV book series edited by Neil, making it their first official published collaboration, I went on eBay and bought a copy. The credits show that Eric Watson took the cover photos.

There were two in the series, “Dangerous Animals” as featured in Annually, but also “Animals and People” and this one – rather brilliantly – includes a series of dogs: Afghan Hound, Greyhound, Chihuahua, Maltese Terrier, Basset Hound, Pointer and Poodle.

I might get some of these drawings scanned, printed and framed. They look like small, unusual, antique art prints. If you know, you know.

How cool is that - Chris's first list! Interestingly, not one of those dogs made it to his "I want a dog" list. (The chihuahua doesn't count - it gets the whole song.) Nice of Neil to find him a side gig to help pay off those crushing student debts, eh?

I do love his handwriting. Wouldn't mind a whole font of that. It definitely does look like that West End sample cassette. Of course I can't find a nice picture of the tape right now but this is a screenshot from the Imagine documentary.

psb-imagine-westendtape3.png

Back when people actually took care and pride in their handwriting.

[Xakrij]

Back when people actually took care and pride in their handwriting.

Retired teacher here. You would be surprised just how many of my students didn't even know how to hold a pencil, much less read or write cursive.
And I taught Spanish so the fact that it wasn't English didn't help! I'm SO GLAD those days are behind me, although I wouldn't trade those 30 years!

[y3potential]

Not sure if there are any calligraphy experts amongst us who can describe Chris's handwriting style, but it's very distinctive, neat and tidy..

[leesmapman]

Is this the inspiration for I Want A Dog?

[Richard-Eastham]

Is this the inspiration for I Want A Dog?

I like to think so!

[Richard-Eastham]

Not sure if there are any calligraphy experts amongst us who can describe Chris's handwriting style, but it's very distinctive, neat and tidy..

I am an urban designer and urban planner, and although I am not an architect, I work with them all the time. I also teach urban design at several universities in the UK. Back in the day when Chris was training as an architect, hand writing skills were seen as important to clearly label plans and drawings.

The style most commonly taught to architects is close to the Tekton Pro font today. If I produce a hand sketch or plan today, and then use software to add text, I choose that font as it most closely replicates “architects’ handwriting.”

Freehand writing in architecture is becoming a lost art, as the move to CAD and other software packages accelerated from the 1990s onwards.

[Richard-Eastham]

[y3potential]

Not sure if there are any calligraphy experts amongst us who can describe Chris's handwriting style, but it's very distinctive, neat and tidy..

I am an urban designer and urban planner, and although I am not an architect, I work with them all the time. I also teach urban design at several universities in the UK. Back in the day when Chris was training as an architect, hand writing skills were seen as important to clearly label plans and drawings.

The style most commonly taught to architects is close to the Tekton Pro font today. If I produce a hand sketch or plan today, and then use software to add text, I choose that font as it most closely replicates “architects’ handwriting.”

Freehand writing in architecture is becoming a lost art, as the move to CAD and other software packages accelerated from the 1990s onwards.

Thanks for that Richard. I did assume that Chris's time studying architecture would have impacted on his handwriting. Building plans I''ve seen in the past have a similar written style on them..

[y3potential]

Screenshot_20260420-105427.png

[Richard-Eastham]

Wow, I didn't know that it was based directly on an actual architect's handwriting! I just knew that Tekton looked the part.