Etiquette and Beauty in Penmanship

Up until the last 20 years or so, one’s penmanship was considered an insight into one’s character. In fact, resumes and CVs in Japan are still most welcome in a handwritten form, so that potential employers can judge a person by their handwriting. Penmanship and letter writing were always important in terms of etiquette. Books on penmanship and letter writing were among the most read by those who wished to get ahead in life, in the 18th and 19th centuries. “Spencerian Script” was developed in 1840, and by 1866, the book, Spencerian Key to Practical Penmanship, was published and subsequently widely read. Spencerian Script became the standard across the United States. This form of penmanship remained the standard until the 1920s when the popularity of the typewriter was rising and rendered Spencerian Script’s use in business communication, suddenly obsolete.

— Above, from Etiquipedia’s private library, a handwritten letter dated March, 6, 1893, from the Meriden Britannia silver company. 

There seems to be a reaction against the rectangular style of writing which has obtained for some time, in many of the schools. A number of women were talking of it the other day, and with one voice spoke against it. One of these was a teacher of the public schools, and the others had all had experiences with young members of their families who had been taught the rectangular style, and whose writing they agreed, it had entirely ruined, as far as beauty was concerned. 

It is attractive for the little children, the teacher said, while their writing is unformed, and they follow the copy book, but the rectangular combined with the twists which character gives as it develops, is abominable. Every one of the women told as her personal experience of young girls who, beginning with the Spencerian system, had given promise of beauty in handwriting, and with the change of methods developed an ugly, and not easy style. — New York Times, 1902

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Exacting Etiquette for Employment

“Amanuensis” – One who is an artistic or literary assistant. In particular one who can take dictation or copy manuscripts. – He should be a good penman, of agreeable address and genteel appearance, fond of composing, and apt at learning to write in cipher. He should have a smattering of French, and be familiar with the forms and etiquette of correspondence.

An Exacting Miss? Or a Hoax? 

If we are much mistaken the following advertisement for a nice young man, which appeared in the Cleaveland Plain Dealer, was rather a hoax:

A lady, temporarily obliged to lay aside the duties and pleasures of writing, wishes to engage the leisure hours of a young gentleman in the duties of an amanuensis. He should be a good penman, of agreeable address and genteel appearance, fond of composing, and apt at learning to write in cipher. He should have a smattering of French, and be familiar with the forms and etiquette of correspondence. When not employed in writing, he will be expected to read with good taste and expression, be fond of poetry and music — to converse with gayety and spirit, and be familiar with cribbage and back-gammon. The compensation will be handsome, and no person need apply who is not neat in dress, younger than thirty, and an enemy to tobacco, poor puns, and the conventionalities of society. Communications with specimens of style, etc., directed to 'H, box 566, Cleveland post office,' will be promptly answered by appointment of time and place of interview. – The Weekly Alta, 1869

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia  

Etiquette and Penmanship

A person who has self-respect as well as respect for others, should never carelessly write a letter or note. — It's National Handwriting Day, established by the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association in 1977. January 23rd was chosen because this is the birthday of John Hancock. John Hancock was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence.

A French writer says, that the writing a note or letter, the wording of a regret, the prompt or the delayed answering of an invitation, the manner of a salutation, the neglect of a required attention, all betray to the well-bred, the degree or the absence of good-breeding. A person who has self-respect, as well as respect for others, should never carelessly write a letter or note.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CORRECT WRITING

The letter or note should be free from all flourishes. The rules of punctuation should be followed as nearly as possible, and no capital letters used where they are not required. Ink-blots, erasures, and stains on the paper are inadmissible. Any abbreviations of name, rank or title are considered rude, beyond those sanctioned by custom. 

No abbreviations of words should be indulged in, nor underlining of words intended to be made emphatic. All amounts of money or other numbers should be written, reserving the use of numerical figures for dates only. It is a good form to have the address of the writer printed at the top of the sheet, especially for all business letters. 

For letters of friendship and notes, pure white paper and envelopes are in better taste than tinted or colored, and the paper should be of a superior quality. When a page is once written from left to right side, it should not be written over again from top to bottom.


ANONYMOUS LETTERS

No attention should ever be paid to anonymous letters. The writers of such stamp themselves as cowardly, and cowards do not hesitate to say or write what is not true when it suits their purpose. All statements made in such letters should be regarded as false, and the writers as actuated by some bad motives. Anonymous letters should be burned at once, for they are not to be noticed.


LETTERS AND NOTES

The writing of notes in the third person is generally confined to notes of invitation, and such notes are never signed.

When a letter is upon business, commencing "Sir" or "Dear Sir," the name of the person addressed may be written either at the beginning or at the close of the letter, in the left hand corner. In letters commencing with the name of the person to whom you are writing, as, "My Dear Mrs. Brown," the name should not be repeated in the left hand corner.

No notes should be commenced very high or very low on the page, but nearer the top than the middle of the sheet. — Florence Hartley, 1860

Etiquette Enthusiast Maura J Graber is the Site Moderator and Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia