Author Topic: Handwriting examples from the 1870's  (Read 3994 times)

Offline AAAndrew

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Handwriting examples from the 1870's
« on: January 29, 2019, 09:55:30 AM »
I recently purchased a miscellaneous set of documents from around 1872-74 related to the running of the Vermont and Massachusetts Railway. I picked them up because I'm interested in old styles of penmanship. Most are not terribly interesting from a content perspective, but the variation in handwriting is quite fun. I haven't gone through them all yet, but here are three of my favorites so far.

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Offline matteherr

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Re: Handwriting examples from the 1870's
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2019, 02:31:50 PM »
Me too! I spent way too much time on Google searching for pics of 1700's to 1800's documents with handwriting. Now I know I'm not the only one!

Offline Moose

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Re: Handwriting examples from the 1870's
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2019, 02:51:25 PM »
You and me both, Matteherr.

Thanks for sharing these AAAndrew! Old handwriting styles are fascinating to me. Maybe because I started with Spencerian, but I like to see how personal handwriting has changed. I appreciate seeing goods cans of old docs like this.

Offline AAAndrew

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Re: Handwriting examples from the 1870's
« Reply #3 on: January 31, 2019, 09:08:38 PM »
Here's an interesting one. It's a draft letter old Mr. Poor is writing to Charles S. Osgood, a member of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Besides the writing, it is also interesting to see draft letters, which almost never survive.

« Last Edit: January 31, 2019, 09:14:46 PM by AAAndrew »
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Offline AAAndrew

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Re: Handwriting examples from the 1870's
« Reply #4 on: February 18, 2019, 09:01:55 PM »
Here's an interesting hand from the 1870 US Census in Philadelphia.

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Offline matteherr

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Re: Handwriting examples from the 1870's
« Reply #5 on: February 18, 2019, 09:21:21 PM »
What in the world is that hand! The "D" in Dentist is really unique!

Offline AAAndrew

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Re: Handwriting examples from the 1870's
« Reply #6 on: February 19, 2019, 06:30:15 AM »
I know, right? Don’t forget their “P” and “B.” The closest I’ve seen to it is Walt Disney’s signature.

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Offline stenolearner

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Re: Handwriting examples from the 1870's
« Reply #7 on: February 19, 2019, 12:46:33 PM »
After spending hours trying to write exactly according to those business penmanship manuals, it's good to know, that in real life, people also had awful handwriting.

Offline tintenfuchs

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Re: Handwriting examples from the 1870's
« Reply #8 on: February 22, 2019, 04:22:35 AM »
I love seeing those :)
Natascha
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Offline Cyril Jayant

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Re: Handwriting examples from the 1870's
« Reply #9 on: June 25, 2021, 06:43:43 PM »
It is great to see those beautiful writing.
Can you think a mail will have the same appreciation after another 50- 100 years .
Will it last so long for some one to pay and download as a vintage mail file.
Oh ;D... there is something too what computer/ programme  will be able to unzip and read the scripted message ?

Offline AnasaziWrites

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Re: Handwriting examples from the 1870's
« Reply #10 on: June 26, 2021, 10:49:30 AM »
It is great to see those beautiful writing.
Can you think a mail will have the same appreciation after another 50- 100 years .
Will it last so long for some one to pay and download as a vintage mail file.
It will have greater appreciation, I would guess, as beautiful handwriting becomes rarer. So why not add to the stockpile of beautiful handwriting and send someone a beautiful envelope and letter? It's such a pleasant surprise to receive one, and increases the likelihood it will be saved for future generations to enjoy.