Finding Aid for the Penmanship Copybooks collection

Repository: Kent State University. Special Collections and Archives.

Title: Penmanship Copybooks collection

Inclusive Dates: 1793-1821

Author: Finding Aid prepared by Cara Gilgenbach, May 2024

Origination: Kent State University. Libraries. Department of Special Collections and Archives

Extent: .16 cubic foot (1 slim document case)

Physical Location: 11th floor

Language of the Finding Aid: English

Language of the Materials: English

Descriptive Rules: DACS 2nd Edition

Abstract: This collection contains a small selection of penmanship copybooks originating from the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

History of Penmanship Copybooks: Copybooks were a form of penmanship manuals that included pages of example text that were intended to be copied out for practicing a specific style of penmanship or "system" of writing. There were a number of different penmanship styles represented in these books, many of which were intended for a secretarial audience using writing skills for commercial and legal purposes. As with the specimens in this collection, the pages included printed examples of text in a given style of penmanship that were meant to be copied out to practice the script. The text often consisted of sayings or aphorisms, such as "Cherish no ill designs." For more basic background on copybooks, see the "Writing manuals and copybooks (16th to 18th century)" entry in Britannica online.

Scope and Content: This collection includes a small selection of penmanship copybooks associated with different penmanship systems, dating from the 18th-19th centuries. All of the specimens included in this collection are printed in an oblong, panoramic format, measuring approximately seven to nine inches wide by three or three and a half inches high. All are paper-bound with light blue paper covers.

Statement of Arrangement: The items in this collection are arranged by date or approximate date of publication.

Preferred Citation: Penmanship Copybooks collection. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Related Material: Additional copybook specimens and books about copybooks can be found in the LC-classified book collection in Special Collections and Archives.

Acquisition Information: It appears that these books were acquired through purchase from the Chiswick Book Shop, New York, New York.

Box 1
Folder -- Contents

1. A Complete Set of Running Hand Copys. by Thorowgood. London: Rob't. Sayer & Co. 1793.
    
2. Round Text Copies with a Set of Roman Ciphers for marking Goods. Written by J. Weedon; W. M. Brentford. Engraved by J. Ellis. London: Laurie & Whittle, after 1794?
   Physical Description: Imprint information at base of title page is mostly cut off due to being trimmed off but publisher's name can be determined. "W. M." stands for "Writing Master."
   Processing Information: Date of publication based on form of publisher's name on item and historical information available about this publisher.
    
3. New Copies by Butterworth and Son. No. 22. Set third. Edinburgh: Butterworth and Son, 1819.
   Processing Information: Date of publication supplied by bookseller.
    
4. An Analytical Guide to the Art of Penmanship; in Which the Correct Principles of the Round and Running Hands Are Systematized and Simplified. Designed to Teach This Important and Elegant Art with the Utmost Facility. By Enoch Noyes. Boston: Richardson, Lord & Holbrook, 1821.
   Physical Description: A paper label on the front of this book has the alternate title: "A New System and Sure Guide to the Art of Penmanship." Imperfect copy lacking plates 4-11 and 13-17.