Copperplate Ornamental Signature Writing

[caliken]

A few weeks ago, msacco posted this topic as an example of his beautifully constructed Spencerian Ornamental Signature Writing, and I got out my copy of Michael Sull's book "Spencerian Script" to marvel, once again, at the wonderful examples of Ornamental Signature Writing from the past.

 

To the best of my knowledge, there is no tradition of Ornamental signature writing in the Copperplate style, and I thought that it might be fun to try and create an example of how it might look. This, then, is my humble attempt at "Ornamental Copperplate Signature Writing" of the ficticious name F G Holdsworth (to whom I apologize...if such a person exists!)

 

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/caliken_2007/Holdsworth2.jpg

 

Ken

[Gran]

Caliken, it's lovely. I'm sure F. G. wouldn't mind you "fancifying" his signature. It's always a joy to see your work.

[verdiinpink]

I suppose the only concern for Mr.Holdsworth or Ms.Holdsworth is that he might really need some time to sign the credit card slip and withdraw his/her own money at the bank.

Especially when he doesn't bring his/her own pen with flexible nib around.

 

By the way, it is a very beautiful signature.

[mallymal1]

That is sooooo beautiful.

[Ondina]

Caliken, it's lovely. I'm sure F. G. wouldn't mind you "fancifying" his signature. It's always a joy to see your work.

 

My exact thoughts, Gran. Beautiful, Caliken.

[Yuki Onitsura]

Beautiful signature! Makes me wonder why there isn't a tradition of Copperplate signing.

 

Yuki

[Anne-Sophie]

Beautiful signature! Makes me wonder why there isn't a tradition of Copperplate signing.

 

Yuki

 

I sign all forms with a Copperplate/Spencerian like French roundhand. (try saying that 3 times fast)

 

I can do it with a fountain pen or a inkroller.

 

But a flex fountain is needed for Copperplate, most are vintage and I don't know if anybody is willing to mess up their nibs on non fountain pen friendly paper.

 

A beautiful signature also takes space (that most forms don't have) and time (that the person who hands you the form doesn't have).

 

 

But...

 

I love the idea of using one's signature in Copperplate to replace the customary 3 initials stationery header or folded cards first page.

 

It could also be used as a personal card.

A business or index sized card with one side or the header showing the copperplate signature and the other side left blank for email, website and/or address and telephone/fax number or other info jotted down in fountain pen.

 

 

I don't think it is a novel idea, I heard of personal cards used by women in the 19th and early 20th century.

It was the counterpart of men's business card, I think.

 

The index card sized idea comes from Levenger.

 

 

I have toyed about the idea of using my signature in that mannner for many years.

 

I found out, however, that my handwriting and name are way to big to fit inside a little business card space.

The Solution would be to use a smaller size index card or go all out and use a regular sized one.

 

To practice my cursive/Copperplate like hand on that little piece of paper, I need a source of very cheap and very fountain pen friendly (I use M and B nibs) index cards.

 

I hate wasting paper but... Biffybeans gave me the idea of using fountain pen ink as background color for mandala or other index card sized art.

[Maria]

Dear Caliken;

 

Lovely as ever! [bows not worth, thumb up and applause] Humm...wonder how my full name would look like with your Penmanship.[Grins-since the pictures of the emoticons don't show]

 

That said, I do write my checks with a fountain pen, with a Richard Binder's customized nib with full flex and an xxxfp nib. (Got 6 from him, and Richard has ground 4 vintage nibs down to xxxfp; and have 4 in the works being reground to xxxfp)

 

Because I am barely over 1 year into writing with a full flex nib; be it dip nib or fountain pen; I am not yet 'comfortable' with doing super flourishes like our wonderful Caliken. But, I suppose if I do get to that point I shall love to flourish my signature.

 

Caliken--would love your comments on what I have to say here--

 

Personally, I see both Spencerian and Copperplate's use of 'shading.' I can't see why this can't be used, as I see George Bickham's flourishing as superb, as its not too much and not too little.

 

Are we, in a general sense, forever removing the flourishes by every 'writing style' throughout the course of penmanship and the evolution of pen nibs and or pens in general? I see Bickham, then more Copperplate/Roundhand, Spencerian hand, to Palmer. The flexy nib disappears around 1950's-1960's to which Palmer shows no shading at all.

 

For me, I can't see why shading can't be added to the Palmer style. Although it won't be 'correct Copperplate/Roundhand' --the shading would make the writing more 'fulfilled and beautiful.'

 

[i'm still waiting for Caliken to bottle his talents--I like to have a thimble full, as it would be more than my own natural talents. LOL]

 

Just some thoughts.

 

Respectfully,

Maria

[msacco]

Maria,

Palmer is derived from OP/Spencerian. It came about as a faster, simpler way to write for business corresondence.

If you start adding shading to Palmer you basically get Spencerian without the flourishes. The cap forms will differ but the lowercase will be the same.

 

Ken, REally nice Copperplate signature.

 

Mike S.