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Pennmanship and The art of writing — 6 Comments

  1. I wonder if men in general were taught the Secretary style, and women preferentially the Round or Italian? We see references in Austen and other writers of her time to someone having a “masculine” or “feminine” hand – being taught separate styles would account for much of that.

  2. Good Grief: No wonder Bingley’s writing was horrid. Especially if his sister was trimming his quill for him. LOL! Your previous post on how to trim a quill was really good. I try to imagine writing in this style and with a quill no less. Or, in Bingley’s case, a dull one or not trimmed to suit his hand. I have tried calligraphy and love the look but… dang, it is hard work. If you make a mistake… the whole thing is wasted. I agree with the previous comment from Catherine where letters or notes are mentioned as being in a masculine or feminine hand. Now I understand what that means. Thanks for sharing.

  3. I remember learning how to write cursive in the 2nd grade. We practiced making ovals and ‘push pulls’ and spacing on lined tablets. My husband’s handwriting is much different than mine, he is 10 years older than I; he was born in 1943 while I was a 1953 baby.

    My mother and his sister (both born around the same time), their handwriting is almost identical. I think it was called the Palmer method.

  4. Gads! I went through grade school when they were just starting to transition from fountain pens to ball point pens. I remember 6th grade practicing cursive over and over and over and over and over… I developed a beautiful handwriting which sadly has deteriorated with age and lack of use. Now when I have to write by hand I find I can no longer produce those lovely sweeps and swirls. I have to concentrate on controlling my pen and sometimes it gets away from me and produces letters I never intended! My son, who grew up in the 80s, doesn’t write cursive. He prints everything when he has to write by hand.

  5. I have just begun to work with a quill pen. It is difficult! I did drafting and have very good handwriting. However, working with a quill is another skill. I have been searching in vain for some source of more detailed instruction on writing Round Hand, but all I find so far is the single sheet with the addition of Italian. Are you aware of any way to get instruction?

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