In the 1820’s, Platt Rogers Spencer of Geneva, Ohio, began developing a new system of handwriting to replace the "Round hand" or "Copperplate" method. "s" that looked like "f" was replaced. Hailed as a faster and more legible method, it was strongly marketed to schools by Spencer and his 5 sons. In 1848, Spencer began selling copy slips, and in 1855, copy books. During the War with its endless forms filled out by hand, its popularity continued to grow. Spencerian Penmanship was registered with the Library of Congress in 1864, the year Spencer died.
Platt Spencer wrote of the importance of penmanship: “Writing is almost as important as speaking, as a medium for communicating thought. For this reason it is said that “Writing is a secondary power of speech, and they who cannot write are in part dumb.” Scrawls that cannot be read may be compared to talking that cannot be understood; and writing difficult to decipher, to stammering speech. Theory directs, and Art performs; therefore inform the mind and train the hand. If you would attain high excellence in Penmanship, you must master the principles, and faithfully practice them.”
“There are seven *principles* to the Spencerian style of writing. The 1st is a straight line, 2nd is a right curve, 3rd is a left curve, 4th is an extended loop, 5th is a direct oval or capital O, 6th is a reversed oval, and the 7th is a capital stem. Each letter is made up of one or more principles. Once these are practiced and mastered, the writing flows smoothly and neatly. With these simple 7 principles or lines, you can write any letter or add letters together smoothly and with a very nice overall look to them. Each letter is made up of either one or more of the 7 lines, so by practicing the copywork daily, you are training the hand and the mind to work together to make these same lines over and over and over and put them together to make letters.
The copywork is done in the copybooks provided, on specially lined paper that is similar to a graph. On the graph lines provided, the *principles* are practiced, leading eventually to the full letters. Each stroke of the pen needs to reach to the top line, but making sure that it is evenly spaced in the boxes. You can see immediately if you have strayed.”
If you’d like to try your hand at period penmanship for a different kind of immersion experience, see the resources below.
Original copybook recently sold on e-bay
Photos and examples of original Spencerian work
Page from an 1853 Michigan school book
Spencerian Script Museum contact information
Ashtabula County Genealogical Society 440.466.4521
Geneva Library - Sherman St. Geneva, OH 44041-9101
E-mail to acgs@ashtabulagen.org
Visit our web site at http://www.ashtabulagen.org
Geneva was the home of the Spencerian Handwriting School.
Mott Media Reproduction Spencerian Handwriting Course - Available now
In 1985, Mott Media reproduced and republished the original Theory and 5 copy books. The front covers resemble the originals, but the backs have ISBN and UPC codes. Completing the course will allow anyone to develop beautiful Spencerian penmanship.
Another, less expensive source
Kit of 5 Copybooks and Theory Book $12.49 + shipping
or 5 Copybooks $9.29 + shipping
These books are also available from our very own beloved Meschers. (No slight was meant by not including them earlier. I had only known of homeschooling resources before this came to light.)
Several homeschooling families use Spencerian for their penmanship courses. Consider asking your local homeschooling group for volunteers to write some letters to you in their elegant hand. In return, they would appreciate a chance to examine your gear and learn about 1860's life.
Writing and receiving letters in period handwriting and language add a whole new dimension.
Platt Spencer wrote of the importance of penmanship: “Writing is almost as important as speaking, as a medium for communicating thought. For this reason it is said that “Writing is a secondary power of speech, and they who cannot write are in part dumb.” Scrawls that cannot be read may be compared to talking that cannot be understood; and writing difficult to decipher, to stammering speech. Theory directs, and Art performs; therefore inform the mind and train the hand. If you would attain high excellence in Penmanship, you must master the principles, and faithfully practice them.”
“There are seven *principles* to the Spencerian style of writing. The 1st is a straight line, 2nd is a right curve, 3rd is a left curve, 4th is an extended loop, 5th is a direct oval or capital O, 6th is a reversed oval, and the 7th is a capital stem. Each letter is made up of one or more principles. Once these are practiced and mastered, the writing flows smoothly and neatly. With these simple 7 principles or lines, you can write any letter or add letters together smoothly and with a very nice overall look to them. Each letter is made up of either one or more of the 7 lines, so by practicing the copywork daily, you are training the hand and the mind to work together to make these same lines over and over and over and put them together to make letters.
The copywork is done in the copybooks provided, on specially lined paper that is similar to a graph. On the graph lines provided, the *principles* are practiced, leading eventually to the full letters. Each stroke of the pen needs to reach to the top line, but making sure that it is evenly spaced in the boxes. You can see immediately if you have strayed.”
If you’d like to try your hand at period penmanship for a different kind of immersion experience, see the resources below.
Original copybook recently sold on e-bay
Photos and examples of original Spencerian work
Page from an 1853 Michigan school book
Spencerian Script Museum contact information
Ashtabula County Genealogical Society 440.466.4521
Geneva Library - Sherman St. Geneva, OH 44041-9101
E-mail to acgs@ashtabulagen.org
Visit our web site at http://www.ashtabulagen.org
Geneva was the home of the Spencerian Handwriting School.
Mott Media Reproduction Spencerian Handwriting Course - Available now
In 1985, Mott Media reproduced and republished the original Theory and 5 copy books. The front covers resemble the originals, but the backs have ISBN and UPC codes. Completing the course will allow anyone to develop beautiful Spencerian penmanship.
Another, less expensive source
Kit of 5 Copybooks and Theory Book $12.49 + shipping
or 5 Copybooks $9.29 + shipping
These books are also available from our very own beloved Meschers. (No slight was meant by not including them earlier. I had only known of homeschooling resources before this came to light.)
Several homeschooling families use Spencerian for their penmanship courses. Consider asking your local homeschooling group for volunteers to write some letters to you in their elegant hand. In return, they would appreciate a chance to examine your gear and learn about 1860's life.
Writing and receiving letters in period handwriting and language add a whole new dimension.
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