As a school teacher & living history surgeon who pens 'reports of surgeries' performed, your presentation came to me most fascinating. I, by no means, possess Spencerian penmanship, yet I do craft my reports and correspondence by nib & ink. Now I am inspired to study, practice, and learn more of this manner of handwriting. As a first, second and third grader in Belt, MT, many many years ago, I recall having the very, very old wooden slant-top desks which now makes perfect sense to me. Thank you so kindly, sir.
As someone who writes in the Spencerian style, I very much enjoyed this video. I highly encourage people to write it, and I have been trying to teach my cadets how to do it.
Generally, yes. Though, you do some more printing when done with pencil and you certainly see neatness decline. There are some great online collections of soldier journals available online that you could compare and contrast for further research.
You are a man of many talents 1st Sgt. - mine are constrained to burning powder and drinking coffee from a tin cup - *LIKED* another fine video. See you on the field, at the range, or around the camp fire pards. --- *1st Minnesota SharpShooters* channel with Civil War reenactor live fire, hard marching, and rustic adventure ... enlist today.
President Lincoln's handwriting is not Spencerian. Lincoln wrote Running hand and Roundhand. His penmanship can be viewed at the Digital Collections of the US Library of Congress under "Abraham Lincoln's Papers."
This is bloody brilliant. Thank you a lot 1st Sgt. Koepp. I have pretty decent handwriting myself, but I always strive to improve it. I will now, passive aggressively send this to all my friends that don't know how to write properly. /e Do you mind if I link a 201 page lesson book on the subject? /2e I fully intend to buy the books, because e-books are a travesty, but I cannot wait untill I have it in my hand to try it out and I encourage everyone to actually follow Mr. Koepp's recommendation on actually having the book in your hand and physically touch it and read through it like a normal person!
Writing Slope aka Lap Desk, are varied but, I must point out that the style your showing is "in house" rather than those used by officers in the ACW. IF, you and those reading go to the Museum of the Confederacy, enter "Writing Slope" they have authentic slopes on digital. Grant's Field Desk is at the US Quarter Master's Museum, Ft. Lee, Virginia. You may also access historical writing slopes by entering General Burnside writing slope, ACW writing slopes. Further details on slopes will be in the Chirography series at the 3rd US REGULAR INFANTRY, CO K (Buffsticks ), reenactors website in their article section. Its a 3 part series.
First Sergeant, I wish so much to have met you earlier. Having three types of writing slopes and three types of "offices" these boxes could have enlightened you and could copy them. The office is the interior when open. The office writing surface was either leather, felt or velvet. Leather would be found in dirty circumstances. It also caused a slight grip with the papers as not to slide off the slant of the surface. Slick wood works a writer hard, having to hold, write and dip. Felt and velvet wicks moisture from paper. Period laid papers made with cotton are pressed with felt during the making of said paper. These office materials were a cushion between the wood and nib points. Writers will find better wear and better thin and thick strokes with at least 5 sheets of paper. Writing with a sharp nib, one must glide the nib. Even more importantly for the left handed writers, as they push or plow on the up strokes and right handed pull. Another word of advice, for those using antique laid paper, is to lift to light and ensure the watermark is as if you read this. The press of paper when made is matted like a dog, cat, horse coat. If upside down nibs will catch and snap spattering ink and perhaps break a nib's foot. Pulp paper, e.g. copy paper has a back and front. One side will bleed more than the other. Pulp paper would have embossed heraldry in the left top corner. This felt reference was perfect for low light circumstances and would always put the paper right. The faint blue lines on all these historical documents are guides for writers as to keep a straight line. They disappear when scanned and only seen in person. Natural white is preferred but hard to find. Continuing to page 2 of the writing project, the writer should turn it like a book page, to keep with the fibers. Papers would have stayed dry in the slope. The tray up top would be the pen rest. Extra nibs would be in one of the boxes. Inkwells in slopes weren't sealed tight, so ink would be tossed out. Wax envelope seal would be wick free sticks of red wax. Wafer seals are clear, used to close the flap of the envelope. Most Official Business envelopes were equipped with adhesive as envelopes lick and seal today. Waxing with a non chemical candle, e.g. beeswax, canning wax, etc., will protect the ink from running in any wet weather. Soft candle wax is best. Church candles are fantastic. Ask church for their nubs. Also protects the stitching on boots, Brogans. Dip in liquid wax the end of thread or shoelaces. Writing at night is awesome! The white of the tent ceiling illuminates well as to write in the dark. Position of candlestick is to be to light your paper at the top and left. Have a candlelight dinner and you will see immediately the beautiful light and manipulating position to customize to the need. Elevate more by using books, e.g. Kautz , etc. If paper is too wet, turn the kettle over and set paper on the side, the lip on the kettle will act as a rest. If you're around sand, heat clean sand and cover a sheet at a time, until dry. Blotting paper was available. Prior to blotting paper, Ponce Sander was used. Shaking the flour of soapstone to clot wet ink, then curl paper to shake the flour back into the container, which is identified as a salt shaker whose lid is pushed in like a shallow bowl. Soapstone is used by tailors to mark cloth. Nothing went to waste. Rags were collected to make cotton rag paper...laid paper.
Is there any modern stores that sell the correct pens and nibs. Like hobby lobby ? What size nib do we look for. Keep up the great videos , you guys are awesome
You probably could. You would just look for a plain nib holder made of wood and a fine point nib. It's not Hobby Lobby, but I love the nib holders from the Sutler of Ft. Scott. They're affordable and write great. Thanks for watching!
I recommend Paper and Ink Arts, they have a wide spread of nibs. Gillott 303 and 404 are still made, still in step with standards that pass authentic campaigners.
According to The National US Patent Office, Joseph Gillott registered in the USA his steel nibs No. 303, 404. This will be found at Paper and Ink Arts. Esterbrook Nibs were also registered and supplied the US Military from ACW through WWII, especially mapping pen nibs. Please note Esterbrook is hard to find No. 357 = Gillott 303; Esterbrook 358 = Gillott 404. I recommend 404 for left hand, as it is stiffer.
I agree with the cool statements. Honestly most men I know have terrible hand writing. This would be great, learning a past history skill that will inevitably improve the hand writing over all. Just way cool. Thanks
For the most part. Period shirt, 4 button fatigue blouse, green trousers, green cap for uniform. Then leather equipment. Feel free to give me a call tonight, would really like to talk about getting you going. I wouldn't buy anything until we talk. We are a tad picky with where we like to buy gear from.
I thought the same thing. I'm left handed and have done some writing and drawing with pen and ink but it ain't easy being left handed and now with bad carpal tunnel syndrome. I tried (but didn't practice enough) using a stick to hold my hand off the surface of the paper - Leonardo Da Vinci used this method when painting!!! - but again it takes some practice.
There's one maker. The name doesn't come to mind right now. It's not 100% important to buy when getting into the unit right off the bat. Feel free to give me a call. Number is found at www.2ndusss.com
There's actually a great story we put on our website about one Berdan company where a bunch of soldiers happened to have the same surname. When a visiting officer was doing roll, he blew his top thinking they were playing a prank on him.
Peeking in...Spencerian style of writing really is not used in the many ACW documents that I have collected. Please don't believe everything that you see within reenactors. SCRIVENER's MESS, Yahoo Group, there are tons of authentic documents in albums. People at age 18 in 1860s would have learned how to write in the 1840s. We old folks learned in 2nd-3rd grade learned to write. Military writing is more in alignment with Palmer. Add a bit of flourish.
New Blazing Star Press used to have tons of period correct fonts for download. I got a set years ago, but I'm not sure if he's still doing business or not. I bought something off the site a little over a year ago, and after trying multiple ways to contact him, chalked it up to a loss. If you could contact him personally before purchasing, that might be a good way to start.
As a school teacher & living history surgeon who pens 'reports of surgeries' performed, your presentation came to me most fascinating. I, by no means, possess Spencerian penmanship, yet I do craft my reports and correspondence by nib & ink. Now I am inspired to study, practice, and learn more of this manner of handwriting. As a first, second and third grader in Belt, MT, many many years ago, I recall having the very, very old wooden slant-top desks which now makes perfect sense to me. Thank you so kindly, sir.
As someone who writes in the Spencerian style, I very much enjoyed this video. I highly encourage people to write it, and I have been trying to teach my cadets how to do it.
What writing style did the soldiers use in the field with pencils.
Same style ?
Generally, yes. Though, you do some more printing when done with pencil and you certainly see neatness decline. There are some great online collections of soldier journals available online that you could compare and contrast for further research.
I bought the entire series of these books... and have yet to use them.... on my to-do list.
You are a man of many talents 1st Sgt. - mine are constrained to burning powder and drinking coffee from a tin cup - *LIKED* another fine video. See you on the field, at the range, or around the camp fire pards. --- *1st Minnesota SharpShooters* channel with Civil War reenactor live fire, hard marching, and rustic adventure ... enlist today.
President Lincoln's handwriting is not Spencerian. Lincoln wrote Running hand and Roundhand. His penmanship can be viewed at the Digital Collections of the US Library of Congress under "Abraham Lincoln's Papers."
Wow I didn’t know about hardly any of these different types. Very educational thanks you all.
This is bloody brilliant. Thank you a lot 1st Sgt. Koepp.
I have pretty decent handwriting myself, but I always strive to improve it. I will now, passive aggressively send this to all my friends that don't know how to write properly.
/e
Do you mind if I link a 201 page lesson book on the subject?
/2e
I fully intend to buy the books, because e-books are a travesty, but I cannot wait untill I have it in my hand to try it out and I encourage everyone to actually follow Mr. Koepp's recommendation on actually having the book in your hand and physically touch it and read through it like a normal person!
Have you tried making iron gall ink. It is an interesting thing, with the slight downside of being acidic
Writing Slope aka Lap Desk, are varied but, I must point out that the style your showing is "in house" rather than those used by officers in the ACW. IF, you and those reading go to the Museum of the Confederacy, enter "Writing Slope" they have authentic slopes on digital. Grant's Field Desk is at the US Quarter Master's Museum, Ft. Lee, Virginia. You may also access historical writing slopes by entering General Burnside writing slope, ACW writing slopes. Further details on slopes will be in the Chirography series at the 3rd US REGULAR INFANTRY, CO K (Buffsticks ), reenactors website in their article section. Its a 3 part series.
First Sergeant, I wish so much to have met you earlier. Having three types of writing slopes and three types of "offices" these boxes could have enlightened you and could copy them. The office is the interior when open. The office writing surface was either leather, felt or velvet. Leather would be found in dirty circumstances. It also caused a slight grip with the papers as not to slide off the slant of the surface. Slick wood works a writer hard, having to hold, write and dip. Felt and velvet wicks moisture from paper. Period laid papers made with cotton are pressed with felt during the making of said paper. These office materials were a cushion between the wood and nib points. Writers will find better wear and better thin and thick strokes with at least 5 sheets of paper. Writing with a sharp nib, one must glide the nib. Even more importantly for the left handed writers, as they push or plow on the up strokes and right handed pull. Another word of advice, for those using antique laid paper, is to lift to light and ensure the watermark is as if you read this. The press of paper when made is matted like a dog, cat, horse coat. If upside down nibs will catch and snap spattering ink and perhaps break a nib's foot. Pulp paper, e.g. copy paper has a back and front. One side will bleed more than the other. Pulp paper would have embossed heraldry in the left top corner. This felt reference was perfect for low light circumstances and would always put the paper right. The faint blue lines on all these historical documents are guides for writers as to keep a straight line. They disappear when scanned and only seen in person. Natural white is preferred but hard to find. Continuing to page 2 of the writing project, the writer should turn it like a book page, to keep with the fibers. Papers would have stayed dry in the slope. The tray up top would be the pen rest. Extra nibs would be in one of the boxes. Inkwells in slopes weren't sealed tight, so ink would be tossed out. Wax envelope seal would be wick free sticks of red wax. Wafer seals are clear, used to close the flap of the envelope. Most Official Business envelopes were equipped with adhesive as envelopes lick and seal today. Waxing with a non chemical candle, e.g. beeswax, canning wax, etc., will protect the ink from running in any wet weather. Soft candle wax is best. Church candles are fantastic. Ask church for their nubs. Also protects the stitching on boots, Brogans. Dip in liquid wax the end of thread or shoelaces. Writing at night is awesome! The white of the tent ceiling illuminates well as to write in the dark. Position of candlestick is to be to light your paper at the top and left. Have a candlelight dinner and you will see immediately the beautiful light and manipulating position to customize to the need. Elevate more by using books, e.g. Kautz , etc. If paper is too wet, turn the kettle over and set paper on the side, the lip on the kettle will act as a rest. If you're around sand, heat clean sand and cover a sheet at a time, until dry. Blotting paper was available. Prior to blotting paper, Ponce Sander was used. Shaking the flour of soapstone to clot wet ink, then curl paper to shake the flour back into the container, which is identified as a salt shaker whose lid is pushed in like a shallow bowl. Soapstone is used by tailors to mark cloth. Nothing went to waste. Rags were collected to make cotton rag paper...laid paper.
Is there any modern stores that sell the correct pens and nibs.
Like hobby lobby ?
What size nib do we look for.
Keep up the great videos , you guys are awesome
You probably could. You would just look for a plain nib holder made of wood and a fine point nib. It's not Hobby Lobby, but I love the nib holders from the Sutler of Ft. Scott. They're affordable and write great. Thanks for watching!
Company D 2nd USSS thank you
I recommend Paper and Ink Arts, they have a wide spread of nibs. Gillott 303 and 404 are still made, still in step with standards that pass authentic campaigners.
According to The National US Patent Office, Joseph Gillott registered in the USA his steel nibs No. 303, 404. This will be found at Paper and Ink Arts. Esterbrook Nibs were also registered and supplied the US Military from ACW through WWII, especially mapping pen nibs. Please note Esterbrook is hard to find No. 357 = Gillott 303; Esterbrook 358 = Gillott 404. I recommend 404 for left hand, as it is stiffer.
I agree with the cool statements. Honestly most men I know have terrible hand writing. This would be great, learning a past history skill that will inevitably improve the hand writing over all. Just way cool. Thanks
This is cool, this might help when I get in to reanacting, well still a little young
legoboy 300001 stay up to date. Next video I'm doing is a getting into reenacting video.
Capt Whitehall
Company D 2nd USSS Will do
For the beginning do you really just need the uniform and tents basically
And haversack
For the most part. Period shirt, 4 button fatigue blouse, green trousers, green cap for uniform. Then leather equipment. Feel free to give me a call tonight, would really like to talk about getting you going. I wouldn't buy anything until we talk. We are a tad picky with where we like to buy gear from.
Can I call you tomorrow
How does someone who is left handed not smear the ink when writing?
I thought the same thing. I'm left handed and have done some writing and drawing with pen and ink but it ain't easy being left handed and now with bad carpal tunnel syndrome. I tried (but didn't practice enough) using a stick to hold my hand off the surface of the paper - Leonardo Da Vinci used this method when painting!!! - but again it takes some practice.
Back in those days they discouraged left handed people from using their left hand. Most lefties were forced to use their right hands.
Using pens that make finer lines helps, but this style of writing isn't very friendly to left handeds
Where do I buy the sharps mess kit
There's one maker. The name doesn't come to mind right now. It's not 100% important to buy when getting into the unit right off the bat. Feel free to give me a call. Number is found at www.2ndusss.com
Lol at reenactments my Irish ass is basically illiterate. I have tried to do calligraphy, script writing, and all that and I can never do it.
Should I get the sharps back
Pack
Preston Albertsen those you should wait for. They are super expensive for a new comer and not 100% needed to start.
Preston Albertsen absolutely
Well they all signed their name X. I bet they were like damn look at all these soldiers named X how the hell am I suppose to remember that
There's actually a great story we put on our website about one Berdan company where a bunch of soldiers happened to have the same surname. When a visiting officer was doing roll, he blew his top thinking they were playing a prank on him.
Peeking in...Spencerian style of writing really is not used in the many ACW documents that I have collected. Please don't believe everything that you see within reenactors. SCRIVENER's MESS, Yahoo Group, there are tons of authentic documents in albums. People at age 18 in 1860s would have learned how to write in the 1840s. We old folks learned in 2nd-3rd grade learned to write. Military writing is more in alignment with Palmer. Add a bit of flourish.
I like that kind of fonts and writing... When I do I get fonts from.... But this kind is the schooner script
New Blazing Star Press used to have tons of period correct fonts for download. I got a set years ago, but I'm not sure if he's still doing business or not. I bought something off the site a little over a year ago, and after trying multiple ways to contact him, chalked it up to a loss. If you could contact him personally before purchasing, that might be a good way to start.