Friendship Token

The back of a Victorian 1883 Liberty Nickel.

I love the penmanship that was somehow etched into the metal looking as if it were done with a single stroke. I love the two engraved hands  symbolizing the friendship. source

♡ F + B ♡

1873 Handwriting -- Cursive

This cursive letter written by a child in 1873 is probably a handwriting assignment for school. I think it is such a shame cursive isn't taught now. I went to a birthday party last week for a 9 year old neighbor who said she couldn't read cursive. Penmanship lessons were my favorite when I was in grammar school. I loved dipping the pen into the ink and doing those continuous ovals!

I have posted about handwriting in the past. This old post contains many helpful links to help kids learn this dying art. CLICK HERE.

Before There Were Birth Certificates

This is a framed birth record I have hanging on my wall in the living room. I bought it from a New Jersey dealer about 35 years ago and still love it. It is a page from a family Bible recording the 18th century birth date of all the family members. Someone kept it up until 1834 and then the record keeping fell by the wayside.

Here is a closer look. Isn't thehe penmanship exquisite? This also falls into the folk art category because of the folky angel and decorative flourishes across the top. It's a wonderful glimpse into 18th century family record keeping.

Onteora Club | 100 year old letter

I found this delightful letter in an attic years ago and it continues to delight me. Could an email ever replace getting a letter like this in the mail? Richard certainly was busy with his egg business and his bookkeeping too. He wasn't doing too well in math because 117 dozen = 1,404. I wonder if that old Pope Toledo is still around in an antique car collection? Click on the letter to enlarge it for easier reading. Boo Hoo, Old Father Rabbit is dead.

The Onteora Club in Tannersville, NY was founded in 1887. Today it is a private enclave with more than 80 cottages, 6 clay tennis courts, and a private golf club. This young boy's father [E. S. Godfrey] was the superintendent in 1910. The website is divided: members and visitors. Mark Twain is pictured below.

Have a great weekend full of Rest and Relaxation.

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Amazing 1807 Alphabet

I love this circa 1807 alphabet framed by wonderful fancy fish flourish penwork. Click on the image for high resolution view. Ephemera




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A Prosperous New Year To You

I saved this greeting to my computer a year ago when I did not have a blog. I have no idea where this 105 year old calligraphic image originated or I would give proper credit.

I am told by my friends who have grandchildren that in some school kids don't even learn cursive writing these days. Is that true? I loved penmanship in grammar school where I was taught the Palmer Method using a real ink pen that was dipped into a bottle of ink.

Actually I find myself writing less and less with my fountain pen and that makes me sad. There is really nothing more beautiful than fine penmanship on nice paper.

Before this day is over in my time zone, I want to send my thanks for all of your words of encouragement that please me no end. Another blogger was able to articulate this sentiment perfectly and I quote,

"To all those people who have commented or sent emails to which I've not replied because I was too busy or too lazy or forgot, and to the rest of the faceless silent hordes who traipse through this rest-stop and who, like me, find some measure of beauty or solace or interesting weirdness in this crazy world among the illustrated cultural history we are privileged to have access to online, I wish a peaceful and happy new year." I couldn't have said it better! Thanks, Peacay of BibliOdyssey




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Have You Written A Letter Lately?

"If you really want to touch someone, send them a letter."

This graphic design/photo by Avi Abrams says it all, doesn't it? Look around and see if you can find your old fountain pen and write a New Year's greeting to someone. I still have the real ink pen I got as a high school graduation gift. Send people handwritten notes if you didn't get around to sending out Christmas cards. Just do it! Snail mail is a good thing.




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Today is National Handwriting Day and Neatness Counts

Get out your pens boys and girls. It's time for penmanship. Oh, how I loved this class in the fourth grade! It was such a rite of passage to leave the childish printing behind and learn CURSIVE.

I looked through my flat files and found this page from Lena Carroll's 1873 lesson book.

This is a screen capture from an online website that teaches children cursive. When you mouseover each letter, it shows you how to write it. See 2nd link at end of this post.

This is a penmanship exercise from the late 19th century that I found online and copied.

You can download and print these cursive flash cards ~ see the last link below.

Today really is National Handwriting Day. I hope you will take the time to read the full article from The Boston Globe (first link below). It really made my hair stand on end when I read that there are 20 and 30 year olds that can't read cursive! How can this be? I can understand when 5 year olds say they can't read script but not young adults. What has happened?

I read an article recently about a young girl who sent 35,000 text messages in one month. We e-mail, we text, we Twitter - what will become of handwriting? Parents should insist that their children are taught these basic skills. It would be a real handicap later in life to be illerate in cursive and incapable of executing a handwritten letter or thank you note in your best penmanship.

I still have the fountain pen that I got as a high school graduation present and I have some bottles of real ink too. In my desk I have quite an assortment of antique writing instruments acquired over the years from relatives or purchased at estate sales. Sadly, I don't use them as much as I used to but I could if I wanted!

Try to write something beautiful today in your best hand to celebrate this special day and help keep handwriting alive.

Feel free to comment if you have any strong feelings on this subject. Thanks, Rosemary

Is the writing on the wall for penmanship? - The Boston Globe

Online cursive handwriting lessons for kids

Download cursive pictorial flash cards for kids




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