Presidential oath

[SquelchB]

When Vaclav Klaus was re-elected the President of the Czech Republic, I saw a short footage from signing his presidential oath. Well, I was disgusted. The fact that it was printed out of a computer - why not. But the headline was in Arial and the rest of the text was in Times. It was aligned to the left and the headline font size was smaller than of the text. At the time I was thinking why didn't they at least make some effort writing this or better, employ some penman to write it for them.

 

This evening, I opened the Constitution and written it myself in uncial script with a few modifications I made to the shape of some letters (according to what I like better). So, here it is:

 

 

 

Again, it's the cheapest kind of paper, Parker Quink Blue-Black and self-modified stainless steel Parker nib.

[Monsieur Dupont]

Fantastici Priborian Penman.

 

Handwritten documents seem so much more worth keeping don't they, especially state documents.

Yesterday I was spring cleaning the study and was about to throw out an old bible. I just happend to look inside the flyleaf and saw an inscription to my grandmother - sunday school gift - dated 1891. All of a sudden this worthless book became priceless. The handwriting was pretty good too.

 

Best,

MD

Edited April 20, 2008 by Monsieur Dupont

[SquelchB]

Fantastici Priborian Penman.

 

Handwritten documents seem so much more worth keeping don't they, especially state documents.

Yesterday I was spring cleaning the study and was about to throw out an old bible. I just happend to look inside the flyleaf and saw an inscription to my grandmother - sunday school gift - dated 1891. All of a sudden this worthless book became priceless. The handwriting was pretty good too.

 

Best,

MD

Thank you

 

I second everything you said. I was just ashamed of my country when I saw the oath on TV...

 

Anyway, here's the first part of the oath in blackletter for comparison.

 

 

[Deirdre]

Beautiful penmanship!

[SquelchB]

Beautiful penmanship!

Thank you

 

Well, for those who are not sick of my writing yet, here is one more sample. Again, it's the presidential oath, it's in uncial script, only this time it's written on plain paper, so it's not very well in line. Actually, I can't write evenly on a plain paper at all. The interesting thing is that while the letters are only about 1 mm smaller than on the squared paper, the difference is quite visible. It looks better this way, may I say.

 

Here it goes:

 

 

 

I promise, I'll be nice from now on :roflmho:

[SquelchB]

Here is the English translation of the oath:

 

"I pledge allegiance to the Czech Republic. I pledge to uphold its Constitution and laws. I pledge on my honor to discharge my office in the interest of the people and in accordance with my best conviction and conscience."

 

I didn't dare to translate it myself. I'll try to write it in English tomorrow and post it here if didn't completely disgust you yet

 

Edit: Here's another translation, taken from the official website of the office of the President:

 

"I swear allegiance to the Czech Republic. I swear to observe its Constitution and laws. I swear upon my honour that I shall perform my office in the interest of all the people, and to the best of my belief."

Edited April 20, 2008 by SquelchB

[SquelchB]

So, here's the English version. I know the numbers at the bottom are awful, I wasn't quite sure how to write them and this is how they turned out.

 

 

 

And now, I'll write a hundred times "I won't spam the precious space of the Fountain Pen Network with my crappy scribbling." I just wonder, what hand should I use? Blackletter, perhaps? Written in my own blood for the effect? Do you think it would turn out with good shading?

Edited April 21, 2008 by SquelchB

[limesally]

Hey, I've been enjoying your samples!

 

The only thing I would work on, if it were me, and I only say this because it's something I notice in myself when I attempt calligraphy, is the spacing of the letters. "Allegiance" looks crowded compared to "constitution", for instance. I have this same issue all the time, and am hoping someone else will jump in with suggestions (other than "be more careful" :roflmho: )

 

Also, I really wish my Quink Blue-black looked the way this sample looks on my monitor, which it doesn't, by a long shot.

Edited April 21, 2008 by limesally

[SquelchB]

Hey, I've been enjoying your samples!

 

The only thing I would work on, if it were me, and I only say this because it's something I notice in myself when I attempt calligraphy, is the spacing of the letters. "Allegiance" looks crowded compared to "constitution", for instance. I have this same issue all the time, and am hoping someone else will jump in with suggestions (other than "be more careful" :roflmho: )

 

Also, I really wish my Quink Blue-black looked the way this sample looks on my monitor, which it doesn't, by a long shot.

Yeah, I noticed it as well. I started writing uncial two days ago... But I have the same problem with my italic and blackletter as well.

 

Well, it looks a whole lot different on the paper. I filled the calligraphy pen with black Quink now, I wonder how this turns out.

[hardyb]

I have to say I agree. The hard won freedom and the blood shed in obtaining it by the people of the Czech Republic really should be celebrated more appropriately. Still, let us hope the the words of the oath of office are engraved in the hearts of our leaders (both US and Czech) and no just ink stains on paper.

[SquelchB]

I have to say I agree. The hard won freedom and the blood shed in obtaining it by the people of the Czech Republic really should be celebrated more appropriately. Still, let us hope the the words of the oath of office are engraved in the hearts of our leaders (both US and Czech) and no just ink stains on paper.

I managed to find a photo of it. Well, I just don't get it...

 

Oh, uhm, yeah, I mixed it up, the headline is in Times and the text is in Arial, but it just looks awful. Or is it just me?

 

http://img1.ct24.cz/multimedia/images/2/117/big/11682.jpg

 

Edit: The funny thing is that the crappy printout is made on a hand-made paper... Sigh.

Edited April 21, 2008 by SquelchB

[caliken]

Beautiful penmanship!

Thank you

 

Well, for those who are not sick of my writing yet, here is one more sample. Again, it's the presidential oath, it's in uncial script, only this time it's written on plain paper, so it's not very well in line. Actually, I can't write evenly on a plain paper at all. The interesting thing is that while the letters are only about 1 mm smaller than on the squared paper, the difference is quite visible. It looks better this way, may I say.

 

Here it goes:

 

 

 

I promise, I'll be nice from now on :roflmho:

 

Your writing looks pretty straight , to me, but if you want to make life a little easier, try this tip from RogerB - it really works !

 

"I find it helps me a lot to have a sheet of paper, of a contrasting colour, on which I rest my writing hand and use as a 'guide' to keep my lines straight....it also keeps the oils from your hand off the paper!

(I usually use my non-writing hand to keep it in place and in line)."

 

[SquelchB]

Your writing looks pretty straight , to me, but if you want to make life a little easier, try this tip from RogerB - it really works !

 

"I find it helps me a lot to have a sheet of paper, of a contrasting colour, on which I rest my writing hand and use as a 'guide' to keep my lines straight....it also keeps the oils from your hand off the paper!

(I usually use my non-writing hand to keep it in place and in line)."

Thank you.

 

I actually don't use plain paper most of the time. I don't even remember why did I try writing on the plain paper then. Anyway, I'll definitely try what you adviced, thank you.

 

Just as an update on this whole matter - I sent an e-mail to someone I thought might me in charge of this in the office of the President. They replied they weren't responsible for this and I should point my comment towards the Chamber of Deputies that was in charge of organising the ceremony. So I sent an e-mail to them and I'm awaiting a response. I know it's just some petty nagging. But it really looks ugly to me.

[Songwind]

I don't think it's petty at all. The trappings of ceremony and gravitas (if not overdone) keep people's minds on the magnitude of what they are doing.