Let's bring this back...with a flourish!!!
Postmark 1887, I just love the parenthesis at the bottom of this. Why did she open it through mistake?
Once, in not a so distant past...this script was STANDARD in schools across America and the United Kingdom in the late 1880's through the early 1900's! I picked up this little gem of an envelope at my local Stamps and Rocks Store along with several others (see the picture below). I am fascinated with the beautiful scripts on these little pieces of history! But I am saddened by the wholesale removal of cursive writing (of any kind) from our schools today. It makes me spitting mad. Ummm. ahem. I am so sorry for that very unlady like display of passion, but we need to wake up! There are some things worth reviving in our culture, and I want to propose that Cursive Writing is one of them!
Here is my stack of old envelopes. Unfortunately, it is VERY difficult to find the letters in them. But I still love the old envelopes. The picture there, is a postcard that I believe the sender made of herself...precursor to the "selfie"? :-) There was a cute note on the back of it.
I become so inspired when I see these beautiful scripts...that I immediately long to be able to write something beautiful as well. So out come the nibs and inks, and my trusty Spencerian Script book. This is available through (click on this: John Neal Books, for some reason my posts are not high lighting the links! ) This is probably the best place that I have found for the beginner (and advanced) supplies.
The book!
The Dinner!
Thankfully, I was inspired at just the right time. Valentine's day. My dear husband, Mr. Foster, gave me a dozen BEAUTIFUL roses, and a box of chocolates. I wanted to do something extra special nice for him in return. So, out came the candles...the china...and a nice steak dinner...
The Letter!
I had been practicing my Spencerian Script...however....I can see now why calligraphers avail themselves to the use of a light box! I must see if I can commission someone to make one for me. As you can see my script goes up hill quite a bit... I wasn't original, I just simply copied Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "How Do I Love Thee" sonnet, and added a little comment. My dear sweet husband thought I had written it! :-) But, after not taking credit for it... I gently directed his eyes to the rather large script of her name at the end... he seemed to love it just the same.
Did it take rather a long time to write? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes. What benefit did I derive from all the pains I took? Well, that would be hard to state, but let me see if I can explain. The process of slow, methodical , purposeful , quiet, solitary, writing...is an ethereal experience. Each and every stroke is full of brain tingling sensations! The slowness of this exercise allowed my mind to think of many things... particularly my husband, pleasant thought indeed. Nearly all of your senses are involved...touch--dipping the pen into the ink,feeling the texture of the paper.Hearing ---the scratching that the nib makes against the paper. And sight--- watching the strokes take place, hopefully in some beautiful form.
Perhaps the most important benefit of this ancient craft, is the sense of partaking in something that has been happening since the beginning of time, much unchanged. What a link to the past. If you want to read more about the benefits, read the following article, it sites a NewYorkTimes article on the benefits of cursive writing and the brain science. (Click on: article )
I used the crow quill pen that I purchased from Speed Ball.
Don't forget to use the wax and your favorite seal...pictured here is intertwining hearts.
And just a few days after this was written...I received this beautiful envelope and letter from Mrs. Duffy ( Letter Matters ) She is doing everything she can to keep the art of beautiful writing alive. There is a great community of calligraphers today. If you are interested in pursuing these groups, I would recommend: ( Iampeth ) and ( The Flourish Forum.) Both great places to get started.
Write Beautiful Letters.
Write Often.
Lady Pamela
Lovely! I love cursive script too and I have a collection of vintage French postcards with the most beautiful cursive writing on them. I write in cursive with my fountain all the time -- but haven't tried the Spencerian -- that may be too much for me.
ReplyDeleteHa, ha. You artsy folks are naturals at all of this! The rest of us must struggle on!
ReplyDeleteI too beieve in the need for cursive writing and was so pleased to see the Arkansas legislature has proposed to keep it in the school curriculum. While my cursive is not as elegant as your examples, I do also believe people still enjoy the receipt of a personal letter, handwritten, rather than always getting e-mail. Enjoyed your blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments Suz. I have a link to a Cursive organization in California (but I think that the blog is defunct now) but there is plenty of science research into the benefits of cursive for young (and older minds). I truly hope that it will be brought back as well!
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