Erase the Digital Age: Fountain Pen Writing in 18th Century Style!

[@thpeter]

If someone would have told me 35 years ago that I would be watching a video of a person demonstrating penmanship with a fountain pen AND that I would be enthralled with said video I would have said they were crazy. And yet here I am thinking this is the coolest video I’ve watched all day!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks so much! This comment cracks me up because it’s so true. I am the same way. I may make more videos like this. It’s nice to get into the act and art of writing now and again. Thank you!

[@crouserm]

Your handwriting journal! Yay! Fabulous. And, fabulous also this tutorial in this antique style of script. To think that people did this with goose quills or dipped nibs. You make me want to ink up my early '50s Marossy. Thank you!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you! You are always so kind.

[@E.Williams-z9y]

Watching you and world series at same time. Glad that I never get trick or treaters or I would be overwhelmed.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks so much!

[@phillipfranco55]

The book "The Universal Penman" has a lot of these word connections and a large collection of examples to try to emulate. When I purchased my hard cover copy there were a lot of soft cover variants but there is at least one place to get hard cover copies that have larger print examples over the soft cover.

[@HemingwayJones]

Very cool. Thanks for watching.

[@scottlaughlin2447]

Bravo, Hemingway.Ifound this extremely interestint. Please share more of it.

[@scottlaughlin2447]

I make more than my share of typos, both by way of a typewriter and pen.

[@monkpato]

This was a lot of fun and I'm glad to find another idiosyncratic capitalizer!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you! We are! Some capital letters are just so cool! “W” is the best!

[@david.leikam]

Reminds me of my childhood and youth writing cursive in the Slingerland Approach. I’m also an artist so revisiting cursive writing also sparks the creative muse as well. ✍️

[@HemingwayJones]

Truly! Thanks for watching.

[@edwardwiper1323]

Great video HJ,you’ve inspired me to get out my Onoto 1920s flex pen & try to improve my writing.I was taught cursive in the 60s with no real letter embellishment,so now I am retired I have time to give it a go.THANKS.

[@HemingwayJones]

Wonderful! Wish you all the best. Happy to be here for you.

[@gihanzohdy3284]

Happy Pen Day Hemingway, and many more to come!!

[@HemingwayJones]

Hear, hear! All the best to you.

[@karmesindryade]

The joy of writing 🖤. And who would not be happy to receive such a lovely handwritten letter. Thanks for sharing.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you so much, My Friend. I am always happy to see you in my comments. All the best.

[@richardzak2140]

Hello HJ. This was a fun video and it opens up an interesting flair on cursive writing. I'm going to give it a try in my daily journal. Great job.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you so much and thanks for watching.

[@kurtgeisinger2012]

That is some amazing handwriting! I will have to ink-up my flex nib, and practice that style of writing while journaling.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks! You are too kind. I am glad you enjoyed this.

[@torbjrklund3054]

Looking forward to this 😊

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you!

[@mbsheisey]

I grew up in a big, old Southern house, which was the same house where my Dad grew up. Since his family never threw anything away, the attics were full of old papers from the 19th century. When they were brought out, I was always fascinated by the handwriting in these old papers and as I got older and discovered fountain pens, the handwriting got more and more interesting. So I grew up studying vintage handwriting and still love to look at these papers. About the Conway Stewart Winston cherry red fountain pen, I looked it up and OH WELL! Guess I'll just have to admire it from afar! But thanks for your answer.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks for watching and for this wonderful comment!

[@donconrard533]

Cool. I'll have to give that a try.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you!

[@HemingwayJones]

Wonderful!

[@katryna0003]

I absolutely adore this, i feel there would be a degree of neuron training to get this handwriting to flow for me! however it is both beautiful and artistic, i also am fond of your handwriting practice book... very nice. I have come across your channel serendipitously... some time ago... then, having an insatiable need to research, , did so. I now own a plethora of fountain pens and have branched to specialty nibs... i do enjoy how my writing appears with these, and the creative expression they afford me. Thankyou ever so much. All the very best to you, your family, and fellow listeners!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very much for the kind comment. I am so glad you like the Channel. Wish you all the best and speak again soon.

[@cragglesharvey2774]

I absolutely love your handwriting style. I think most people with an interest in ink pen writing strive to improve their penmanship. I would love to see you make videos on tips and practice techniques to help people advance and elevate their ink pen cursive script. Love your videos 🙏

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks very much! I appreciate that. You’re very kind.

[@cragglesharvey2774]

Thank you for responding it was most kind of you.

[@HemingwayJones]

Of course, I appreciate your kind words. @@cragglesharvey2774

[@JamesLFilms]

Love this! I use to write in cursive. I’ve been thinking about getting back into it.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks! I appreciate the kind words.

[@taiko7225]

"From a pen, you can go anywhere!" Brilliant @hemingwayjones ! Put that on a T-shirt!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks! I need to put together some Merch!

[@archivist17]

A fascinating exercise. I might try it a few times to see if it's for me. Thanks.

[@HemingwayJones]

Give it a shot. It’s another brush in your artist’s box. Thanks for watching.

[@Priscilla_Bettis]

I start my capital D's with a curved post like a capital C, then I always loop the final part of the letter downward so it can connect to the next (lowercase) letter. This was a cool video. I've never tried connecting words, looks fun.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks for the advice and thanks for watching. I appreciate it.

[@petragallert9198]

Delightful video and project! On the topic of "d"-- I adopted a few habits from the older (pre-reform) gaelic script, among which is the very simple, yet very dramatic celtic "d." Wish I could draw it for you......

[@JeremyWalla]

Pretty fun. I am really liking that Waterman.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks so much! I am glad you enjoyed it! They are out there and much more affordable than a 52. All the best!

[@christophermckellar1352]

Brilliant! Thanks.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you!

[@chrisroche2007]

Great ideas to improve my style. I’m just not sure about linking the dot over the “I” with another word. Your site is very inspiring.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks very much. The dot extension is difficult and best with an EFnib. Plenty of other ways to connect. I am still playing around with this style. Thanks for the kind words.

[@paulherman5822]

In high school is when I started trying to emulate "round hand," or "copperplate" writing. Nothing remotely flexible available in the early 1980s, in my area, so THAT was out for me, then, just tried to follow the basic line work, and got into dip pen calligraphy (thanks, Speedball! 😁) Regularly in the past, it seems to have been common to use 2 styles of penmanship. Compare the business and legal writing to letters, though that seems more from the 19th and early 20th century. The examples of those who had fairly impeccable handwriting in general seems to have been those "in the spotlight." Writers, more high status people, etc. For example, I expect Lincoln had better business handwriting than what survived in his notes and letters. I agree completely that some capitals are just FUN to write. And some always feel awkward. I've struggled with the capital "Z" for decades.😁 So I tend to use a fluorished print style. My "H" is a joy to write. Very similar to the one you used in "Helen." I also use the older style lower case "f", with the crossed bit and kind of an "s" shape instead of the cursive style (cursive is just the current style of script. All cursive is script, but all scripts aren't cursive. 😉) As I get older, it's starting to get spidery, but can't mean you still can't try.😁 A big factor I discovered early on is to slow down. Slower, you can pay better attention to how you are writing.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks so much for the great comment. Capital Z is always a challenge.

[@fossilimprint2954]

Nice change of pace, thank you. Your handwriting is levels above mine, if I want people to read mine I need to print and not do cursive.

[@LewisLittle66]

That looks lovely. (I get the feeling that you deliberately chose a lot of words with "t"s in them. 😁). Also, so sweet to read about some of your memories from your trip over here to England. ❤

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you so much! I am so glad you enjoyed this! Yes, England is very special to us. My wife is English and so it is like a second home to me. Thanks!

[@jessicag630]

0:48 So, is this video actually 18th century inspired font with personal adjustment? 4:00 Any information on which website you get those samples of 18th century you learned? Thank you.

[@frankmarek9921]

A great video nice jazz music,frank in Oswego,ill

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you!

[@frankmarek9921]

​@@HemingwayJonesthanks

[@RobertMaguire67]

Interesting....not sure I would orphan words as you did in the script proposed.

[@HemingwayJones]

Do what you like! Enjoy. All the best.

[@AndrewWertheimer]

Have you ever watched KZbins from A Writing Guy? He has interesting writing and essay-like reflections on writing from Vietnam. Did you read that California will again teach handwriting? Your writing here reminds me of letters from my grandmother. I still recall stationery she used - either nice paper with a deckled edge on one side. Or a sheet from the Concord, a Catskills resort (Borscht Belt). Fun memories. I recently got a Swan den with a flex nib like your Waterman. Take care. Aloha.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks for the great comment! Swan are very nice. Well done! I didn’t hear about CA, but that’s great and interesting. My daughter can write her name in Cursive at 6, but we have a long way to go. I have never seen that KZbin Channel, but it sounds very nice. Thank you!

[@AndrewWertheimer]

@@HemingwayJones and thanks. Yes I’m really impressed by the nib on the Swan. It’s no “ugly duckling.” 🦢🖋️❤️

[@AndrewWertheimer]

@@HemingwayJones thanks. I replied with links but it YT declared it spam for some reason. maybe because it doesn’t like links. I any case yes the Swan has a lovely flex nib. Aloha.

[@mikedavis979]

Ha! I've never been happy with my capital D's too! Which is funny, since my last name starts with D. I've settled with partially cursive, partially print D. Good luck with your future letters!

[@HemingwayJones]

That is too funny. It is a tough letter. I need to do more work on it. Maybe we both should.

[@scribe_samples2309]

HJ: “I lean into everything which is a joy to me.” Who can argue with that 😊

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you so much!

[@mariekatherine5238]

In 1970, I found an old copybook of Spencerian penmanship in a thrift store. It was summer vacation between fifth and sixth grade. I was bored so bought myself a notebook and taught it to myself. In grade six I wrote the first graded composition in Spencerian script. My teacher’s comment? “Unique, but it’s 1970. Rewrite this in the 20th century and resubmit it tomorrow morning.” She claimed she couldn’t read it easily and it was distracting. If I wanted to impress her, this was the wrong way. I felt crushed and angry. My mother had me rewrite it and went to see her the next afternoon. Almost always, my parents took the teacher’s side, but this was an exception. By the time Mom emerged 20 minutes later, I could almost see the steam coming from Mom’s ears. Apparently, the conversation went quickly from penmanship to condemnation of our family, Catholic, Irish, and large; at that time, nine children. By the end of the week, all of we school aged children were enrolled in St. Catherine of Sienna school although it meant Mom had to drive us there and back. I lucked out getting an older nun in full habit for my teacher, who very much appreciated Spencerian penmanship! I didn’t always use it, only by permission because the school standard was Palmer hand.

[@HemingwayJones]

Wow, I don’t even know how to respond to this one. As a lover of fine writing and someone who celebrates individuality and artistic expression, I cannot imagine taking the position they did, but they we are. So sorry. I am glad it is a skill you retained.

[@Biber0315]

You have nice hand writing in spite of the way you hold the pen.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks! I appreciate that. Thanks for watching.

[@BoulderJR]

BTW, your first cap D looks fine.

[@wolf_ceit_witch]

Don't forget to like

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you!

[@RajmahendraR]

Nib is extra flex ?

[@HemingwayJones]

That is a Mag 600 by Magna Carta with vintage like flex. It’s a beast.

[@johnnyjet3.1412]

For The Pen Day I received my Lamy Aion and a new old stock Sheaffer Friends of Winter and a bottle of Lamy Crystal Benitoite - Benitoite was 1st discovered in San Benito Co. Cali. 200 miles south of me now. For you writing exercises and samples try Ian Doescher's "William Shakespeare's Star Wars" Alas poor stormtrooper I knew ye not.

[@HemingwayJones]

You have chosen wisely! Great Pen Day haul.

[@barryporter6993]

you need to include universally famous author "Earnest" Hemingway "Indiana" Jones.....

[@eproperco]

A+

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you! Thanks for watching.

[@David-zu9op]

I was taught cursive writing in the 1960s when I was 7 to 8 years old, using a dip pen. My first name starts with letter D, I also hate my letter Ds. 60 years later I still write a terrible letter D. All the others, I’m happy with. But the D arggg.

[@HemingwayJones]

Oh No! We both need to find a nice letter “D”. The one in the Desilu logo was decent. Do you remember that from when they showed it on the Star Trek credits? I need to research more “D”s.

[@Texas78266]

Your pen nib needs to be adjusted. That scratchy sound you espouse is actually a sign that your nib needs to be ground, adjusted (the tines are not properly adjusted) or both. A well-adjusted and inked nib effortlessly and silently flows across the paper. That scratchy sound on Claire Fontaine paper no less is a sign to examine your nib. You’re obviously passionate about your art. Your passion will rise to unimaginable heights once your adjusted nib glide silently across that beautiful CF paper.

[@HemingwayJones]

Haha, nope..

[@johnnyjet3.1412]

I think that quotes would be the best way to play with that - and making them the PS of a letter Use it for a slogan like your title 'Lets end the internet with style" I'm sure there's a better way today that, my brain is not working very well right now. (blame Iraq)

[@BoulderJR]

You should work on how you hold a pen.

[@leebalmforth2269]

I wish my handwriting was as nice 👍

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you! That is very kind of you to say. Wish you all the best.

[@stevestolarczyk8972]

THANK YOU!!-- I'm not the only one who can't produce a decent 'D'.

[@HemingwayJones]

It’s a struggle! Thanks for watching.

[@LosPeregrinos51]

Sorry but that must be one of the most awkward pen grips I've ever seen - good, delicate cursive though.

[@HemingwayJones]

I appreciate your watching. Thanks very much. I learned to draw before I could write. I hold a pen a bit like holding charcoal; cradled in my hand. Stop by again soon.

[@LosPeregrinos51]

@@HemingwayJones " I learned to draw before I could write" As have we all since the dawn of mankind 😉 Apologies, that must have seemed rude - perhaps "unusual" might have been more appropriate. I come from the generation before you when the conventional grip was more strictly enforced, besides I should have considered that you might have a condition such as arthritis which precluded anything else - wrong of me.