Spencerian Penmanship (Theory Book)

It seems gone are the days where young people are taught this beautiful form of writing. This small booklet shares the history of Palmer Method along with step by step instructions. Each letter is broken down and studied so you can practice on your own.

This is an excellent resource for anyone looking to improve their penmanship and the perfect place to begin in learning Spencerian penmanship. For a long time I hesitated even trying to learn Spencerian because I was afraid it was too complicated and difficult. This book however is the perfect guide to teaching Spencerian and improving one's penmanship in a simple, straight forward way. This is a reproduction of the original Theory Book and as such it retains the beautiful flowing language of the 19th century. I am well versed in this older English language but for some people who are not quite as familiar with reading such language it may require a bit of adjustment at first. Do not let this put you off however, I highly recommend everyone practice to improve reading and writing. The only thing I would desire to see added to this is a page with the complete alphabet with both the capital and minuscule letters. However, I was able to find one of these pages from IAMPETH.

I received the theory book today! I've had the practice books (1-5) for over 20 years and have yet to use them up! What I didn't have was the theory book and I love it!! Thank you for a great transaction!

Although, as with almost all texts written prior to 1950, you will have to tolerate a writing style which is overly wordy, overly descriptive, and enormously attempting to impress you, with the importance of every word, contained within the Book "you possess upon your person", that, sometimes, it is a bit difficult to PLOW through the language, to appreciate the information the author is trying to convey, HOWEVER, if you can see fit to ignore the overly self aggrandizement contained within the context of the text, the actual material, and use of the "Copy Books" will provide you with a very good set of lessons for establishing a consistent hand when using a fountain pen, or ink pen. I was very impressed with my personal results and really believe the text along with the "Copy Books" really helped to improve significantly my handwriting!

They stopped teaching cursive in schools so I developed an interest now that it’s not mandatory. Fun stuff. Kinda labor intensive and not everybody can read it… so that adds an element of fun. Also, you can add complications to make reading even harder!!!

I bought this book like every else who buys this book; you’re trying to improve your handwriting. Now everyone reads that this thing is written like a Quaker wrote it in the late 1800’s with “thou’s” and all that hoopla. I’m like, yeah, I can hang. I’ll be able to gloss over the lingo and pick out what I need to know. Holy crow. I think “The Sex Life of Bea Arthur” would be a juicier read. After about 15 minutes of this puppy, I was ready to put an eye out with my newly purchased fountain pen. You want your handwriting to improve? Hire a nun that used to work at a Catholic School and have her whip you into shape. Easier than this route.

Bought this to assist my son with his penmanship. If you're a home schooler and want to be able to READ your kids handwriting. THIS IS NOT FOR YOU. However if you child has a burning desire to improve their penmanship so it look slike their grandparents, then youmay have a chance. Book is a little smaller than I expected but is well penned (pardon the pun...?) and systematically laid out. Be sure to buy the copybooks which are sold separately. AND a set of fountain pens. Regular ballpoint pens or the new gel pens do not suit the technique and will lead to hand cramping.

I think my penmanship improved just looking at the forms presented. For anyone interested in improved handwriting skills this is a nice little book. I didn't think I would need the practice books when I ordered this, but it turns out you will have a fuller experience with the theory book if you also get the practice books. Although at the time of ordering buying the two separately was less expensive than buying them together. Why Amazon?

Good explanation of the writing method with very interesting and nice historical hints. The light and smaller seize is also very useful.

Great books - goes with the practice books - you need this one at least as it goes through the whole course. Rather fun!

カッパープレートの基本のテキストです。 書き方を数値化して説明されています。

Es una replica del libro publicado años atrás, es un buen libro con instrucciones básicas, pero es interesante entender el concepto del sistema de escritura. es pequeño, sencillo, creo que su valor es mas de nostalgia.

This is a reprint of the 1874 "Theory of the Spencerian System of Practical Penmanship", with the text reset in a more modern typeface and missing the white-on-black page of movement exercises. Otherwise it is a straight reissue. The original fine line engravings which show writing positions and pen holding have not fared too well in this printing, but they serve their purpose; the letter exemplars which are the main point of the book are nicely reproduced however. Mott Media are to be congratulated on making intelligent compromises in order to keep this book in print and available at an affordable price. The book presents in 52 pages complete instructions for the Spencerian system, in my opinion the most beautiful practical handwriting style ever devised. Nothing is missing - and given close attention, plenty of practice and a decent pen this is all you need. Anybody who is interested in the subject should not hesitate to buy it; that goes for the accompanying copybooks too with a few minor caveats. Having said all that, the subject is a larger one than can be contained within such a small booklet. There are alternative letter forms (capitals in particular) and the whole world of Ornamental penmanship to explore: those who would like to find out more should seek out the International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting (IAMPETH) to build on the essential foundation this book provides.