Master Penman Certificate

[jeanwilson]

This certificate does not have any reference to IAMPETH. Yes, the IAMPETH program has been discontinued. This looks like Bill and John, both Master Penman, have put their personal seal of approval on the certificate. The wording is pretty straight forward and it does not look like there is any organization involved...just two master penmen giving their seal of approval.

[thistledesignstudio]

Congratulations again Connie!  Well deserved & the certificate is stunning! 

[rebeccasinnen]

I was confused by this seeing as the MP program was dissolved for now so I asked a different Master Penman about it.  This isn't through IAMPETH...The certificate is beautiful, but I imagine this will cause some consternation within the organization.  A "Master Penman" is supposed to be approved by all the IAMPETH Master Penman of the day, not just one or two as far as I know.  This would be like me making a Master Penman certificate and taking it to Harvest Coffey Crittenden and her and, say, Mike Kecseg sign it and give me the title without the approval of the other Master Penman, right? Again, it's beautiful and how wonderful to have the accolades of two Master Penman but this isn't through IAMPETH.

[tomcalligraphy]

I was confused by this seeing as the MP program was dissolved for now so I asked a different Master Penman about it.  This isn't through IAMPETH...The certificate is beautiful, but I imagine this will cause some consternation within the organization.  A "Master Penman" is supposed to be approved by all the IAMPETH Master Penman of the day, not just one or two as far as I know.  This would be like me making a Master Penman certificate and taking it to Harvest Coffey Crittenden and her and, say, Mike Kecseg sign it and give me the title without the approval of the other Master Penman, right? Again, it's beautiful and how wonderful to have the accolades of two Master Penman but this isn't through IAMPETH.

The thing is before IAMPETH was even a thought, people were made Master Penman through schools or other Masters they apprenticed under and had to take an examination in their scripts, just like how the IAMPETH program worked. Mr William A Lilly the only Gold Seal Zanerian alive gave this honor to Connie, so there should be some respect in that aspect, I mean he recognized the first set of IAMPETH Master Penman, and the story goes that's the last time they asked for his opinion and knowledge.

Also NO WHERE DOES IT SAY IAMPETH on her certificate, so I don't understand the attacks.

[Brush My Fennec]

people were made Master Penman through schools or other Masters they apprenticed under and had to take an examination in their scripts

As far as I know, in 19th and early 20th century American calligraphy, people were not made 'Master Penman' per se because no one doled out that specific title to people, and people didn't bill themselves as 'Master Penman' (Though I think the term was used *rarely* to describe other people such as Madarasz, after he died), instead they used terms like 'Penman', 'Penman Artist', 'Professor of Penmanship', 'Penman Engrosser' and so forth. I believe the term 'Master Penman' as a formal title and as some sort of program is an entirely modern creation: It says on the IAMPETH website that 'The IAMPETH Master Penman Society was created in 2001'. So the title presumably dates from then, and it says that William Lilly chose the first people to be called 'Master Penman', so I suppose the term as a formal title is his creation.

I base that on a lot of reading of the scanned Penman's Art Journal and the Business Educator and various scanned books and books I own.

As an example here is a link to a picture of Clinton. C. Canan's Zanerian diploma from 1893 and no where on it does the word 'Master Penman' occur and there isn't a gold seal either, though there is the signatures of Zaner and Bloser on it:

http://i.imgur.com/LhuZmRg.jpg

[rebeccasinnen]

Also NO WHERE DOES IT SAY IAMPETH on her certificate, so I don't understand the attacks.

Relax, take a breath--no one is "attacking".  Connie, Mr. Lilly, and Mr. DeCollibus HAD to know this was going to cause a bit of hoopla. 

Like I said to Connie on Facebook (and above in my post) she should be proud and how awesome it is to have the accolades of two Master Penman!  I am proud of her accomplishments!

Like I also said to Connie on Facebook, a few months back I had told some people Harvest Crittenden emailed me (I didn't ask her) and offered to mentor me and they ran with it saying i was claiming to be part of the MP program (which I NEVER said) but if my merely calling an MP my "mentor" caused such a raucous I can't imagine what this is going to do!

I LOVE Connie and her work is amaze-balls!  So please don't take a few questions or comments so personal.  Given that they did this out of what is considered by most the "way of the day" to becoming a "Master Penman", they need to be ready to give an answer to the questions that are bound to come.

I'm sorry Connie is going to be in the middle of the drama that is bound to ensue within the IAMPETH organization because of this.  According to Connie, Mr. Lilly never wanted a MP program as was formed so as to not cause jealousy but now that it is established, his going outside of the organization will surely cause jealousy. 

[tintenfuchs]

This certificate does not have any reference to IAMPETH. Yes, the IAMPETH program has been discontinued. This looks like Bill and John, both Master Penman, have put their personal seal of approval on the certificate. The wording is pretty straight forward and it does not look like there is any organization involved...just two master penmen giving their seal of approval.

Thanks for clarifying, Jean!

Connie, Congratulations! It's wonderful to have such great penmen acknowledge your skill

Edit: I didn't mean to attack Connie! I just thought that the title was associated with IAMPETH. Having Mr. Lilly and DeCollibus declare her a master is enough for me!

[Heebs]

Someone is always going to find something to start drama about, even if this was worded completely different the purists would be up in arms.

Luckily, Connie has plenty of people who recognize her hard work and understand what this means especially coming from MP Lilly and DeCollibus. We're proud of you Connie

[schin]

Beautiful work and congratulations!! Hope to see you at Iampeth next year!

[rebeccasinnen]

I'm not starting drama.  I'm just asking public ally the question MANY are asking via email to the other Master Penman and the IAMPETH board members.

And again  and again, congrats to Connie.  The certificate is lovely!

[Heebs]

I'm not starting drama.  I'm just asking public ally the question MANY are asking via email to the other Master Penman and the IAMPETH board members.

And again  and again, congrats to Connie.  The certificate is lovely!

Wasn't referring to you  Rebecca Sorry if I made you think I was. If anything, I'm referring to those that caused drama in your situation with Harvest.

[colorsofchrist]

I think typing the two words cannot do it justice. Here they are. From the bottom of my heart <3...beyond grateful for all the support.

[Bianca M]

Tremendously talented, AND equally gracious!  How I do admire you, Connie.

[seanlanefuller]

Hi Connie.  Words cannot express how beautiful your certificate is.  It is so well balanced, flowing, and interesting.  I'm sure it represents hours, days, maybe years of practice and study.  I have only just begun so my skill level is barely measurable.  Your beautiful work sets up such a burning desire to be better that it almost makes me cry.  It is really hard to explain.  Thanks so much for sharing.  For those of us that are learning and untrained can you describe your certificate.  What is any of the lettering called, what kind of ink, what nibs, what paper, how many drafts, how many hours, etc.?  Or is that a secret thing.  I find that the more I know about an art form, the more I can appreciate it.

[colorsofchrist]

Hi Connie.  Words cannot express how beautiful your certificate is.  It is so well balanced, flowing, and interesting.  I'm sure it represents hours, days, maybe years of practice and study.  I have only just begun so my skill level is barely measurable.  Your beautiful work sets up such a burning desire to be better that it almost makes me cry.  It is really hard to explain.  Thanks so much for sharing.  For those of us that are learning and untrained can you describe your certificate.  What is any of the lettering called, what kind of ink, what nibs, what paper, how many drafts, how many hours, etc.?  Or is that a secret thing.  I find that the more I know about an art form, the more I can appreciate it.

You are very sweet The questions you asked are certainly not secrets. "Certificate" is written in German Text. The rest is in Engrosser's Script except my name which is Ornamental Penmanship. I used Arnold's Ink, 1 Gillott Principality and 1 Gillott 303. 1 evolving draft with lots of revisions and the fear that I needed to bulk order bristol pads because I was never satisfied with the execution of my name. I truly don't remember how many hours but I would say around 1 week and a lifetime.