Spencerian Handwriting: The Complete Collection of Theory and Practical Workbooks for Perfect Cursive and Hand Lettering

Full disclosure: this is just a one book amalgamation of the Spencerian Penmanship Copybooks. They've been put together all in one volume which is handy as the original copybooks were for school children in the mid to late 19th century. To be fair, it is good information though written in the very dry antique style of textbooks of that era. The paper quality is better than the copy books are if your going to use it as a workbook. It has all the pages to practice on but the binding should have been spiral, because as it is you can't lay it flat to work in. If you are interested in pointed-pen calligraphy and Spencerian script in particular, it is a handy reference volume to have. I agree with the other reviewer in that I don't really understand why it took so many delays to reprint the copybooks that are already available. If the price had not been lowered, I would have returned it. I really thought this was something new and someone had taken the time to update the text and information. If I were the publisher, I'd reprint with a spiral binder format that would at least make it more useful as a workbook. It's good for what it is as a reference book only. I had to laugh at the very sternly worded copyright information as this is a reprint of material that is most likely in the public domain.

My only quibble, and it is a small one is that the book could use a spiral binding. Would be easier to copy into if the pages laid flat. My solution was to just break the spine.The letters aren't in the order of the alphabet, but grouped according to how they are drawn. That is preferable, but makes a letter harder to find if you can't remember it properly. At first, I didn't want to mess up the book. BF copied some of the sheets, but then we risked "wasting paper," and he wanted to combine them, and print masters front and back.... GRRR. Enough with that! Finally started making good progress when I was actually copying IN the book itself - like it was designed.I'll order another if I want a clean copy.

I chose this book because another reviewer said this one had better paper than the Mott version.Pros:One bookNice paperMinor issues:It's a thick book so my hand catches on the bottom edge of the book during practice - I find that a little irritating.Practice for Capitals has been condensed with Words, so you get one column to practice the Capitals alone. (See picture)But I can find exemplars online to practice the Capitals separately.I would recommend this version since this is half the price of the Mott version. I also recommend getting a Pilot Penmanship (ergo grip) or a Pilot Desk pen (fountain pens with extra fine nibs) to go with this practice.

As one reviewer mentioned, this would have been better if it were spiral bound. I want to tear it apart to separate the worksheet pages so I am not encumbered by the binding. I thought this would be separate books. I would have preferred that it was an 8.5 x 11 inch size for placing in a notebook. Otherwise, the instruction and illustrations are quaint and interesting.

My two granddaughters, both Science major BS degreed, were not taught handwriting in grade of hgh school.I gave them this book and they both learned how to do handwriting. Printing is nice and computers printing is great, but good oldscribbles are useful.

Such a joy: I'm using this book to re-discover and re-train my fading skill of beautiful and legible handwriting. Doing the exercises is almost meditative. I'll buy a new, clean copy for my kids when they start writing too!

The best and most comprehensive course for a patient parent with a hard working child. Could be used a the only resource for teaching/learning handwriting for any age.

The best way so far I have found to try and learn the original method of scripting. This has given me great incite into some of the better ways to write in a clear and concise way.

I have always had narrow but long drawn out handwriting. Most people I came across couldn't read it and I couldn't at times.I wanted to improve my handwriting but not use a bland style like most people these days.Handwriting is an art form, regardless of how skilled the user of the pen is you surely can see it looking at various different peoples writing.I wanted to go from bland to elegance, the Spencerian script is elegant.Beautiful. And so I decided to learn this because at 25 years old it matters how j present myself.This book teaches so much, don't be put off by how complex it first seems talking about angles and diagrams. If you pay attention you come to notice it is all relevant to learning how to write in the script. And its easy to get if you focus and follow diagrams.4 hours later I am writing on almost everything because it looks that good!The book also teaches a lot how to sit so you are not bending over the paper stressing the back I did that a lot...The only thing I have not done is developed the wrist muscles to write with an elevated wrist of the paper and maintain my neatness however as I practice if I can see my improvements and the swiftness and speed of writing this way...kindle or not. This book is a steal.

Nice book, easy to understand and nice finish to paper. The lines appear rather small for the type of pen I have..thick nib, but hoping I can adapt my style and size of writing. I'm very new to writing with a fountain/nib pen so need to practice. Hoping I will learn alot

I bought it for 6 year daughter and is to hard for her. I have no time to sit with her and do it. Waste of money for me.

A classic that is relevant today as it was then. If you enjoy the art of handwriting you will love this.

Nice book