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Spencerian Cursive Copybook Set Plus Theory
In the mid-1800s, when elegant handwriting was much prized, the Spencerian form of penmanship became a standard. Today in our computer age, a fine, beautiful, and legible handwriting brings a warm personal touch to our correspondence. These books may be used to introduce cursive writing to second or third graders or to improve the handwriting of older students or adults. They may also be used to teach calligraphy or as part of an art class. Individual Spencerian Copybooks 1-5 are also available.
52 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1985
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About the author
Platt Rogers Spencer
14 books7 followersPlatt Rogers Spencer (also Platt R. Spencer) was the originator of Spencerian penmanship, a popular system of cursive handwriting. He was a teacher and active in the business school movement.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 25, 2020
A bit more difficult for a left hander. And I still have much work to do. But if you want to learn Spencerian writing, you need to buy this!
July 10, 2019
On the third and one half year of owning these books, I finally made it through all of them. I wanted to learn cursive but after not caring about that anymore I just hoped they would refine my handwriting and possibly drawing ability, and even more possibly my writing ability (Neil Gaiman, for example, wrote his novel "Stardust" with notebook and fountain pen to help set the 1920s theme. So maybe knowing cursive could enrich your writing ability). And I just wanted to finish what I had started, and it was something to do with my hands while listening to podcasts, GDC, music, etc., a relaxing activity. It's been a strange hobby of mine for a while, but it's been fun and hopefully beneficial in some way.
The way the theory works is there are 7 "principles" or movements that comprise every movement you need to make to form all the letters (actually only 4 principles if you leave out the 3 capital letter stems), and you are supposed to recite to yourself which principle you are using while forming the letters in the copybooks. (I didn't do that; I just copied each page by sight.) There are also full paragraphs of written description of how you're supposed to form each letter.
It was interesting to see how they taught the course in 1864, how they went about teaching a handwriting system by using the principles (though I didn't actually use them), the comments they included from 19th century educators recommending the system, the different sentences they had you repeat in book 5 (such as "Industry increases wealth", "Zenobia was a heroic queen"), and some bizarre words that are now completely obsolete that I had to look up that must have been merely archaic back then ("iniquous," "nankeens," "nunchion").
The coolest page (pictured) is in the last copybook, with the sentence "Freedom is a precious boon." The "F" in "Freedom" is written slightly differently in each of its two printings, this being the first time that there is any change or flexibility in the forms of the letters. So nearing the end of the book it's actually giving the freedom and permission to make the Spencerian system your own, to allow your own personality to show through. This is primarily with the flourishes on the capital letters, but there is also, for example, two different ways demonstrated of finishing off a lowercase "t," if it appears at the end of the word.
The way the theory works is there are 7 "principles" or movements that comprise every movement you need to make to form all the letters (actually only 4 principles if you leave out the 3 capital letter stems), and you are supposed to recite to yourself which principle you are using while forming the letters in the copybooks. (I didn't do that; I just copied each page by sight.) There are also full paragraphs of written description of how you're supposed to form each letter.
It was interesting to see how they taught the course in 1864, how they went about teaching a handwriting system by using the principles (though I didn't actually use them), the comments they included from 19th century educators recommending the system, the different sentences they had you repeat in book 5 (such as "Industry increases wealth", "Zenobia was a heroic queen"), and some bizarre words that are now completely obsolete that I had to look up that must have been merely archaic back then ("iniquous," "nankeens," "nunchion").
The coolest page (pictured) is in the last copybook, with the sentence "Freedom is a precious boon." The "F" in "Freedom" is written slightly differently in each of its two printings, this being the first time that there is any change or flexibility in the forms of the letters. So nearing the end of the book it's actually giving the freedom and permission to make the Spencerian system your own, to allow your own personality to show through. This is primarily with the flourishes on the capital letters, but there is also, for example, two different ways demonstrated of finishing off a lowercase "t," if it appears at the end of the word.
June 30, 2015
The theory is well set out and seems surprisingly easy to accomplish. Now the real work begins- retraining my hand after 30 plus years of chicken scratching!
As an artist and fountain pen enthusiast I have reasonably high hopes that the workbooks will be put to good use; time will tell what my default hand will be, but as long as I can bring out the nice handwriting for artwork then I'll be happy!
I found my copy at book depository and the price was great. I'm so thankful that Mott Media republished these gems!
As an artist and fountain pen enthusiast I have reasonably high hopes that the workbooks will be put to good use; time will tell what my default hand will be, but as long as I can bring out the nice handwriting for artwork then I'll be happy!
I found my copy at book depository and the price was great. I'm so thankful that Mott Media republished these gems!
July 24, 2017
This book is a simple way to improve your penmanship, if you're willing to take the time and have patience for the repetition. It also stresses something that is good advice for learning or improving any skill: mindful practice, and critical and honest review of what you've done and what you should focus on making better.
August 17, 2022
I am determined to improve my handwriting after a lifetime of being accused of being a doctor! The book is very detailed and can be accompanied by the endless number of videos available online and on YouTube to give demonstrations.
Persevere, that is my advice. The end results are one of much satisfaction.
Persevere, that is my advice. The end results are one of much satisfaction.
May 20, 2022
Well, it took forever to get through these workbooks, but I'm glad I did it. One of my new year's resolutions was to work on my penmanship, and this book definitely helped me. I especially loved reading about the theory of Spencerian penmanship.
February 2, 2022
Great manuals for teaching or improving cursive script.
January 27, 2024
4.5. Rounded up. very helpful. Improved my handwriting significantly while others didn’t work as much. Recommend to anyone who wants to learn cursive.
The only complaint is that the paper of book 4 is terrible, bleeding like toilet paper. Forget about fountain pens, even wet gel pens could bleed through a little. All the other books are holding on fountain pens alright, but idk why book 4 particularly is so bad.
The only complaint is that the paper of book 4 is terrible, bleeding like toilet paper. Forget about fountain pens, even wet gel pens could bleed through a little. All the other books are holding on fountain pens alright, but idk why book 4 particularly is so bad.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews