Samples Of Vintage Handwriting

[Shawl]

This is probably an arcane thing to collect, but in an effort to individualize and improve my handwriting, I've collected samples of handwriting that have caught my eye. This first is a letter from 1941 that was indicated as being opened by censors. Posted from France, but it doesn't strike me as La Ronde, though it is upright. Stylized, individual and unique.

[skipperhughes]

This is probably an arcane thing to collect, but in an effort to individualize and improve my handwriting, I've collected samples of handwriting that have caught my eye. This first is a letter from 1941 that was indicated as being opened by censors. Posted from France, but it doesn't strike me as La Ronde, though it is upright. Stylized, individual and unique.

 

That is actually a really cool idea how is copying the style of writting off of letters

[ToasterPastry]

Here's mine. I've posted this before, but it is still pretty cool. By the way, I do the exactly the same thing. I even watch old films, paying careful attention as people start writing letters. Do you have more?

 

 

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn130/ToasterPastryphoto/Redlandspostcardback.jpg

Edited June 15, 2012 by ToasterPastry

[penspouse]

1st page of an old family letter.

 

[melissa59]

These are wonderful! I would love to add a couple vintage postcards--especially used with wonderful writing--to my writing desk. One of these days I'll have to find an antique store to browse.

[Shawl]

That is actually a really cool idea how is copying the style of writting off of letters

From the first envelope I posted, I have adopted the use of the capital L. I like the capital A. It looks like the number 9 with a crescent added on. However, I have a different capital A I use, as the one pictured above might be too hard to replicate for quick, everyday writing.

[Shawl]

The next letter is from 1903 written from Italy (I believe) and posted to Vienna. It had no envelope but was sealed with wax. I have not adopted any of the letters used here, but I like the overall look of the handwriting. Interesting to note that new paragraphs are started not with indenting, rather by beginning further out in the margin. Subsequent lines in the paragraph are then uniformly indented. This is the opposite of what I was taught (indent five spaces at the start of a paragraph). I do like the appearance of the method pictured here, though.

[Stompie]

I am always fascinated by old writings - thanks for posting all these!

[patrickfp]

Thanks for posting.

[galileo1225]

Here are two different styles from Spencerian Business College that I found in an old 'autographs' book.

 

http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad193/galileo1225/DSC00400-1.jpg

 

 

http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad193/galileo1225/DSC00396.jpg

 

Enjoy!

[fiberdrunk]

I love this thread! Thanks for posting those wonderful images!

[Randal6393]

Thanks, Shawl, these are great! Quite different hands and yet each is clear, easily read, and hasn't suffered from the passage of time. Wonder how our modern-day printed works will look after as many years?

 

Referring to your letter from Italy: Until after typewriting came into common use, the practice was to outdent rather than indent the start of a paragraph. Frankly, I prefer to outdent. It looks more natural to my eye. Of course, it was a practice often observed more in the breach

 

Best to you,

[Frazer]

If you like looking at old envelopes for their handwriting, and I do, you might want to browse the sales on the American Philatelic Society website.

 

APS sales

 

Under Step 1 criteria select your country of choice; for "Condition" select "On Cover"; and for "Cover Type" select "Postal History". Under Step 2 select sort by oldest first. You needn't bother with other search criteria.

 

Good luck, happy browsing.

[Shawl]

In this sample, I was drawn to the M and the V. I now use both in my everday handwriting.

[hardyb]

Here are some:

[GClef]

1st page of an old family letter.

 

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-3990-1340166390611.jpg