Great observation
@Trazo . I have separated this into its own topic so as not to hijack the other thread. And because I find it such an interesting question!
I have seen several mentions of the oblique holder recommended for business writing in the old texts. There is also a distinction made between business and ornamental writing and using an oblique.
In his 1884 guide, Gaskell called the oblique, “the best in use for ordinary [business] writing” but unfit for flourishing because the pen is reversed.
Daniel T. Ames (of Ames Compendium) mentions the preference for an oblique holder [in reference to business writing] in the Penman’s Art Journal, 1881: “The advantage is in the fact that with a straight pen or holder, it is necessary to turn the hand toward the body beyond what is natural in order that the nib of the pen may squarely face the paper and each rest under equal pressure which is necessary for perfectly smooth lines, which difficulty an oblique pen or holder obviates by changing the angle of the pen points instead of forcing the hand into difficult or unnatural positions.”
Rene Guillard, who developed “penmanship fever” after seeing Bloser’s fine work, mentions in his lessons for Ornamental Penmanship, that you must have the best materials for your work, including an oblique pen holder, properly adjusted. He then goes on to describe the pen hold as the same for business writing.
What is interesting though is that Palmer says in his book (1915) to never use an oblique holder for business writing as it is “out of place and of no advantage.” He further writes, “Nothing beats an oblique for ornamental writing, but there its utility ends.” So it is curious that Palmer & Co would be advertising an oblique holder, especially for business writing.
Oblique pen holders really came into use after about 1860. (Oblique nibs however were in use prior to 1800). Ornamental writing became more popular around 1870. It’s peculiar to me that an oblique would be recommended for Ornamental but not business writing when the slant is the same. While ornamental has significant shading, the pressure is still placed on a straight pen nib during business writing. The oblique alleviates that stress. Perhaps some of the resistance was refusal to change set ways?
I agree with Jean, I always use an oblique for the same reasons.