In my site's glossary, I have definitions for copperplate and Spencerian (clickable links), each with a very small exemplar. It occurred to me, however, that I really ought to share the "Holy flex nib, Batman!" I got when the Spencerian exemplar arrived from Edward B. Weyman, the master penman whom I had asked to create it for me.

For the record, Ed uses vintage dip pens.

Hi,

Ok, your address, thanks!

That guy really writes WELL!

Dillon

Okay...so which is it, then Spencerian or Copperplate writing?

(Yes, I a bit thick at times... )

TMann

WOW!!!

Thanks for sharing!
That's artistiic and absolutely beautiful.

Regards,
Jeen

Edit: I also liked the custom made stamp!

Wow!

If it's handwriting, technically, it's not copperplate -- copperplate is drawing.

I've watched calligraphers do copperplate, and it's a slow, laborious process. They make it look easy, but they are still investing a lot of labor. Most letters are not continuous forms as with handwriting; instead, they're drawn of multiple strokes, so that the pen can always get the best angle and effect. Properly done, copperplate is precise and as near mechanically perfect as the calligrapher can produce.

Spencerian and related scripts are true handwriting, produced fluidly. (As an etymological aside, script derives from the Latin scriptus and actually means "written.") One of the identifying traits of handwritten scripts is that flexing is not mechanically uniform; a writer can omit flexing on some downstrokes and overemphasize it on others. The most wonderful exposition of this that I've ever seen is the book An Elegant Hand: the Golden Age of American Penmanship and Calligraphy, by William E. Henning (clickable link to Amazon.com). This book doesn't make any attempt to teach you anything; instead, it simply boggles you with page after page of gorgeous exemplaria produced by many of the all-time greats of American penmanship. Antonios Z. posted about the book a while back, and I went and bought it.

Droooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool..............

Your friend is a true master Richard. Thanks for sharing it with us.
My understanding is that this close or related to what is called Ornamental skript (see here for an example).
Also most probably is made by a dip pen. Is this true?

It is awesome. Awesome. Awesome. It requires not only a steady hand but a good "eye" for spatially balanced of the loops. Only Kirk E. from our board is close to that level.

Yes, Antonios, Ed uses dip pens. I've had the great pleasure of working on two of his nibs that needed retipping and regrinding -- I was wicked nervous when I sent them home, wondering whether they'd be up to his standard. He liked them. <turning handsprings>

Hi Richard
I agree with the Antonio you are truly a master or meister!!WOW !!! Looks great

Take Care
Emrecan

No I'm gonna have to disagree with you about copperplate.

Copperplate or English roundhand was created in the 17th and 18th century with Spencerian developing in the United States being standardized around 1860 as handwriting that was standard for people to use. Yes if you get into all of the engrossing and flourishes maybe it is drawing but that is the same for any font when you go beyond it's base purpose. A standard copperplate or even roundhand you use 4 different types of strokes which have the pen held at a 55 degree angle not alot of changes since it is the pressure that creates the line variation not pen orientation.



Kurt H

We're splitting semantic hairs here.

As English Round Hand is produced by those who use it, it's handwriting. Duh.

Copperplate is a misnomer that has latterly been given to this general style, derived from the copper plates on which writing masters' exemplaria were engraved with a burin in order to print the masters' copybooks. In actual fact, the most common appearance of true copperplate is in printed works such as wedding announcements. But as copperplate is practiced today by professional calligraphers, it is drawing -- as I said, I have watched some very excellent professional calligraphers do it.

I'm most certainly impressed!!!!

Handlebar

I'm amazed! So, dip pens are REALLY dip pens? Like the glass ones you see for sale? Or quills? Wow. That is just stunning.

Indeed they are. Here's a photo of the kind of pen Ed Weyman uses:



This particular pen happens to be an Aikin Lambert, with a No. 7 nib, that I recently sold to another of my clients. It is 6-7/8" long.

Sooooo... how does one go about learning how to use a dip pen etc.

Hi chupie,

In its simplest form, writing with a dip pen is the same as writing with a fountain pen, except for one thing: you have to dip it in an ink well (or bottle) every so often, because the reservoir is formed by the back of the nib only, as compared to the big reservoir a fountain pen has.

Anything else, like the script displayed here, requires a lot of knowledge, practice, and special nibs, which are very flexible.

Also, for calligraphy often special inks and/or paints are used, for which a dip pen generally is better than a fountain pen. The latter gets blocked too easily by any writing fluids containing particles, or any that contain other solvents but water. Actually, a fountain pen may get damaged itself by any solvent other than water.

Finally, because of the simple reservoir a dip pen has, excluding those which do have some form of reservoir other than the back of the nib, many fountain pen inks are just too thin for dip pens, and ink drops down too easily as a result, which makes writing with those inks a rather harrowing experience. Any good art store should be able to provide you with pen holders, nibs, and special inks though, to practice with. And they are not very expensive either.

HTH, warm regards, Wim

That is seriously gorgeous stuff! Wow, thank you for sharing that Richard!!

Do you blot them off after dipping first before you write? Seems like no matter what ink you used it would be drippy first. Hmm. Just seems interesting. Might have to go by the art store and pick some up for fun.

absolutely stunning!

it may be classified as handwriting, but it is nothing short of art work!

excellent penmanship sir.

all the best ,
Jason

No, you don't blot. You dip, and then, in removing the pen from the inkwell, you allow the underside of the nib's tip to wipe upward across the lip of the glass; capillary action will draw off excess ink from the nib. This is done with a fairly quick motion, not hasty but not drawn out; too hasty and you'll miss, too slow and you'll draw off too much ink, leaving too little on the nib. It's an art.

Wow, you are too kind Antonios, but thank you for the compliment!!

Hope all is well with you and you are going to enjoy a great New Year's!

Let's exchange some snails in 2006!! I love to see your great handwriting. You are the best!!

From a fellow fan of flourishes!!

Kirk

I once read a gripe from the Post Office - Miss Manners wrote that it is best to follow PO guidelines and not use fancy script, yadda yadda. I threw the article away. One writes how one wishes to write. One does not let a government agency such as the PO dictate how one should write.

I have mastered the art of lightly and quickly stroking the nib against the lip of the bottle, and I didn't even know that one was supposed to do so! I just did it because otherwise I had too much ink on the nib...

Post Scriptum: I would dearly love a letter from that man...

Simply amazing. If I could write like that I don't think I could ever put down the pen!

All the best,