I came to the realization that school children were taught different scripts at different times - even within the twentieth century. My sisters and I — taught cursive in school during the 1970s — always puzzled over our grandmother’s signature. She was born in 1906. Her maiden name started with a Z, but when she wrote it as an initial in her beautiful fancy cursive, it looked like the letter L we’d been taught in school. Much later in life, I realized she’d been taught Palmer, while we had learned Zaner-Bloser. I love the idea of keeping s book of different scripts.

My dad's penmanship was impeccable. He grew up in the 1940's and 1950's. I remember on at least two occasions people asking him to write their wedding invitations. They would then take the original and have it printed. He was a talented artist and took great pride in his work.

My great, great grandfather wrote letters home from civil war battlefields. He couldn’t spell to save his soul, but his penmanship was amazing.

There’s more people like me? Thank you for making me feel a little less …. different. As far back as I can remember late 70’s early 80’s I would watch how others wrote, would try to emulate  or just decide to change my writing - and write pages upon pages until I nailed it. It’s been a secret since then- shamed and laughed at for doing this way back then. I also watch how others would hold their pen, as an insight into their unique writing style. So thank you for sharing !

I love your enthusiasm for cursive handwriting !

What a fun and creative way to express what inspires you, I'll try it. The most important thing you said, to me, is your reference to handwritting dysmorphia-so often I hear people with perfectly legible, even pretty handwriting apologize for it. When someone hears I use fountain pens I'm so often asked if i do calligraphy and I respond, "no just my regular handwriting with great joy!"

These are my favorite videos. Creative ways to enjoy pens, journals, and other stationery supplies.

I captured every page from the video that had interesting handwriting. This was fun, informative, and stimulated me to dig out an unused notebook that will turn into my handwriting journal. Have a fun weekend, Tim.

I really enjoyed your enthusiasm for the letters. You pick up on great details! And, my biggest smile was when you stopped for tea. Ah, a moment to breathe is delicious!

This video is the video I didn't know I needed

Imagine now this beautiful aspect of civilised communication being banned from schools.

Something I read long ago and was reminded of when you mentioned Oscar Wilde's "i"s standing alone: handwriting that is in part script and in part printed is supposed to be a sign of an artistic temperament.

I'm always searching online for examples of 19th century handwriting. Not the beautiful scripts of professional record keepers or public records officials, but the everyday people in letters, post cards, notes or what ever. I've found s9me really great handwriting samples.

Such a great idea to use historical letters as handwriting inspiration! Love it!
Btw, the Oscar Wilde letter is addressed to Bram Stoker and the first sentence reads: "I'm anxious to accompany your friends to the Lyceum tonight." -- The Lyceum was the theatre where Stoker worked.

I think one the most difficult things about refining my handwriting (which has evolved over time, naturally, but has been quite stable for a long time now) and using different pens is that people gravitate towards a natural handwriting "size."  I put that word in quotes, because it's not quite the right word.  What I mean is that, whatever I'm writing, on whatever paper, if I'm not consciously trying to fill a specific pre-defined space, my "a" will tend to be so-high and s-wide, and so with all my other letters.  It is much easier for me to shrink my handwriting than to expand it.  Also, my lower-case, half-line letters (e.g., a, c, e, and so on) and those with half-line closed loops (e.g., p, d, and q) will all tend to be much more compressed than the full-line strokes (as in: t and l, and capital letters).  I love my Fountain Pen Revolution Ultra-Flex nib, but with the ebonite feed, it lays down a tremendous amount of ink for my handwriting, and it tends to choke off my letters, even on very good paper.  So, too, with the 1.1 mm and 1.0 mm stub nibs I've tried (my 1.0 mm nib being on the Pilot Metropolitan).  I think my hand naturally wants an EF nib (.3 or .4 mm), but I would like some line variation.

What a phenomenal project !

😍 I will definitely do this! 🤩

Thanks for a terrific idea for a new notebook!  Love your videos!

Tedius tedium
Now for that tea

I'm so glad I found your wonderful channel!