Secrets of Handwriting, Ink, and Quill: Letter Writing in Early America

[@EastyyBlogspot]

funnily enough when i was a kid my science teacher said my handwriting was like " A drunken spider had fallen into a ink pot and then came out and crawled across the page"

[@PLAYERSLAYER_22]

are you left handed. they called mine chicken scratch. should be illegal for teachers to say things like that without attempting to determine underlying causes such as dyslexia. parents just say "well the teacher didnt say anything to me about it so you probably arent dyslexic" well isnt that nice...

[@EastyyBlogspot]

@@PLAYERSLAYER_22 no not left handed , had to go into handwriting classes and write huge font text for some reason lol

[@PLAYERSLAYER_22]

@@EastyyBlogspot gotcha. sorry. i believe modern education is a "cargo cult" but i should stop my ramblings there for now.

[@patriciajrs46]

Ha, ha ha. Oh boy.

[@TheOneWhoMotivates223]

That's wild, your teacher was based

[@MoneyChanger02]

Brian’s postscript on nutmeg might be my favorite in-joke on this channel.

[@anthonyplayter2981]

White sleeves and left-handed... Thats brave

[@KingPhilipsRideshare]

I thought the same thing, but he’s floating his entire arm off the page and not using his wrist as a crutch. Really incredible form.

[@m.a.6478]

Tannic acid is an interesting thing. When I worked in a woodworking shop with oak for a whole day during the summer, I had tannic acid all over my hands. I had a lot of oak sawdust and sweat mixing in my hands. Even after washing my hands with soap the acid didn't really go away (I was unaware of this). In the evening I handled iron and my hands turned black and I couldn't get them clean for almost a week. I was never aware that this same chemistry was used for writing, but I get why it works.

[@patriciajrs46]

Wow! That must have been really weird.

[@m.a.6478]

@@patriciajrs46 I looked like a criminal after touching something illegal ;-)

[@mannys9130]

Don't you just love it when we make these sorts of connections to past life experiences all this time later? I love these "Aha" moments.

[@lindachandler2293]

In the 50's my granddaddy would make us kids quill pens from chicken feathers. We made ink from poke berries. Grandma would give us paper from cut up paper grocery bags. We thought we were something 😊

[@Socrates21stCentury]

Hilarious, thank you for sharing!

[@r.coachman3499]

You were writing like our ancestors did; reusing what you had, borrowing from nature and feathered friends. You thought right~!

[@kaylahall1219]

I agree; you thought right and you sure are something! Thank you for sharing! ❤️

[@xxTAARGUS]

That's cool as heck haha

[@lindaanthony7890]

What a great memory. ❤

[@Tracy81258]

I’m a huge believer in snail mail as an art form and expression of intimacy in communication. I even use sealing wax and a signet seal.

[@212caboose]

I'm honestly surprised wax sealing is allowed, considering how mail is sorted and handled today.

[@andycalimara]

Where do you get the wax and seal?

[@KingPhilipsRideshare]

@@212cabooseyou SHOULD purchase a “non machinable” stamp from the USPS if you wish to use the wax. Otherwise it will get sorted via DPS machine and the wax if often just sheared away.

[@Ziggler-e9f]

its kinda meditative

[@robyndavis3043]

Thank you for posting this! I’m a professional (pen and ink) calligrapher (since 1982), and have been waiting for someone to do/post this! Again, thank you!

[@iac4357]

Do you ever practice Letter Locking too ?

[@patriciajrs46]

Fantastic!!

[@stellamcwick8455]

My favorite part of the whole Townsends cinematic universe is how nutmeg went from a niche gag to being a central character.

[@ThePhobosAnomally]

This reminds me to buy nutmeg.

[@dorothyburgess1248]

I am obsessed with this channel and cannot express my gratitude enough for the content you produce.

[@AliFareedMC]

What a happy coincidence, My dad bought me a quill set as a gift yesterday, The quill made in Italy. I love writing so much

[@H.G.Halberd]

I'm a fountain pen person and i absolutely love using iron gall inks (obviously ones made for fountain pens), they have so much character and are waterproof and most are allowed to be used for documents in germany

[@bcase5328]

How do modern fountain pen ink react in quill pens? I know some modern fountain pen inks work well with metal dip pens and with glass dip pens.

[@H.G.Halberd]

@@bcase5328 most, if not all, fountain pen inks work well in dip pens (which are often used for swatching them) but I have no idea about quills

[@patriciajrs46]

Wow! That's cool.

[@cptjeff1]

@@bcase5328 A little thin, so you'll be dipping often, but they work just fine!

[@arwo1143]

I’m German as well (I assume you are) I’m always writing with a fountain pen and I didn’t know you couldn’t sign documents with them, which I have always been doing Work contracts, rent, insurance stuff… Can you link me one of those inks?

[@judithsmith9319]

When my Daughter turned 22 she wanted to tour this place especially after we had seen this episode back in 2019? She learned to carve those feathers from watching this episode which we had cured already and they worked amazingly. I wrote a wordy paragraph with one dip in the ink much to my surprise. If done correctly that's as it should be. Prior to this episode I researched letter locking/ sealing and do demonstrations at events on the subject... fascinating... also from there the history of paper making... it took 9 months for paper to be ready to write on from start to finish. A whole year for a feather to cure.. how times have changed~

[@patriciajrs46]

Thank you for letting us know.

[@abarn9541]

I have geese, I will be setting some of the flight feathers in a sunny window after they molt and try to remember what I planned for them next year. (The last set became cat toys)

[@EliotChildress]

I recently made a full leather bound book with hand-cut clasps and wrote my resume in it for a job I want. The book itself was, in my opinion, beautiful. But after looking at the end result I was revolted because my handwriting ruined it. And now this video pops up and I feel very called out 😅 So for this year’s resolution I will be learning classic penmanship. I’ll let you know how it goes.

[@RunninUpThatHillh]

That is a problem with handmade books isn't it? :D I make books too (out of more crude materials, fabric covers etc and I use a pamphlet stitch, with big fat signatures). More utilitarian, and practice there. It makes for a NICE collection of books to show where I've been. I also collect antique letters and things.. and I like the hen scratch as much as the beautiful writing. I hope you kept the book! :D

[@anybodyoutthere3208]

Can you take an online tutorial Or just get a book that has you practice along 🤔 Sounds like a great idea

[@EliotChildress]

@@anybodyoutthere3208 I ordered some Spencerian script workbooks. Still waiting for them to arrive but I’ve heard completing the books takes about a year so perfect timing for a New Year’s resolution.

[@EliotChildress]

@@RunninUpThatHillh I didn’t keep it unfortunately (or fortunately depending on the future) I had bought a plane ticket and was planning on hand delivering it as a side excursion while on vacation. So there was no time for redos. Fingers crossed my handwriting wasn’t too much of a put-off. I do however plan on keeping a new handmade journal as part of documenting my writing practice. It seems like the only right thing to do.

[@zynski3451]

There are free pdfs of a book from 100 years ago called 'Writing & Illuminating, & Lettering' and it's a God-send to improve handwriting. Even a couple techniques from a quick gloss of it will really shape up your letters. Good luck!

[@margatrea]

As someone who is a history enthusiast and a fiction writer, your channel is a treasure trove of knowledge. I'm baffled how modern shows and movies don't get these things right with such readily available knowledge.

[@SandySez]

This was thoroughly amazing! Silly me, after 6 times of trying to 'listen' while doing dishes ... I gave up on the dishes. This was so full of fantastic demos and packed with SO much detailed, fascinating information, I can't wait to re-play it straight through again. Thank you Mr. Allison, well-done!

[@zalseon4746]

Grub and communications are such fascinating historical rabbit holes. Really appreciate seeing how writing was done in that transitional state between bronze age clay press and modern mechanized and pencil writing.

[@patatlantian4614]

With so many people out there that want to change and rewrite our history, this channel is very important. Our history books are very important. Doesn't matter what side you are on or who you vote for. Those who try to change or erase our history are doomed to repeat it. Thank you Jon and everybody on Townsend!

[@SebKettley]

Go touch some grass.

[@joshpointoh]

I walk my dog in that park all the time, and I never get tired of seeing that house and the fort. There's a little awe every time

[@HarmonyinHoofbeats]

I never get tired of watching this 3 part series. My 5th great-grandfather, William Bowen, built this house, and my 4th great-grandfather was born in this house. The date Mr. Alison uses in his letter in the introduction is contemporary with my ancestors lives in that house.

[@DaleStLouis-xb5mx]

We have an ancestor's diary from the 1850s. He was a wheat and livestock farmer and would have had knives, scythes and other sharp tools, and his wife would have had kitchen knives etc. But the diary indicates he took only three things to town to pay someone else to sharpen: his razor, Mother's scissors, and his nib knife.

[@jamesbarca7229]

It must be challenging enough to keep from smearing your words when writing left-handed using a ball point pen, but using a fountain pen must take that to a whole new level.

[@SharnRiver]

Funnily enough, it's why I switched to fountain pens in the first place! I'm a lefty, and after years of essay writing using ball point pens and gel inks that would get hopelessly stained on my hand, I switched to fountain pens because it was the only thing that would allow me to overwrite (as Brian does!) and use so little pressure whilst still making a firm mark on the paper. I've used nothing but fountain pens (with very few exceptions) ever since.

[@Ammoniummetavanadate]

I used a Fischer space pen cartridge in my ball point, solves that right away. I can't use a fountain pen at all.

[@heidisparklebottom]

I'm a lefty as well and switching to fountain pen has helped my handwriting a bunch

[@labaccident2010]

I’m also a lefty using almost exclusively fountain pens!

[@paladinproductions881]

As a lefty, fountain pens are actually my favorite writing utensils. It forces you to slow down and consider your words more carefully and makes composition more intimate and enjoyable.

[@cypher1419]

I absolutely adore wax sealing on envelopes.

[@4nn13h7]

It gives me chills when someone has knowledge of something this specific in such detail, especially when it all comes from something as personal as trying to “write like a pirate” as a child. What a wonderful video.

[@pmichael73]

Laid lines run horizontally and are close together. Chain lines are wider apart and run vertically. In 18th century England, burial shrouds were - by law - made from wool because the paper industry was using much of the cotton.

[@343RuinedHalo]

I love this man's voice on the left. He could probably do some amazing ASMR or High level Voice acting.

[@robertcotrell9810]

This was fantastic! I have a friend who has gotten into pens and nibs, not historical ones, but I'll be sharing this video.

[@EminemLovesGrapes]

He's left handed! That was cool to see. Writing like that without smudging the ink on paper is a skill in and of itself.

[@rubenskiii]

Amazing video! It is great fun to make your own pens, and use them. To make a drawing of a bird with a bird feather pen for example. I must have been lucky because the Seagull feather i used was quite great for it's purpose, being exposed to rain and sun for i don't know how long until it blew into my garden. I can highly recommend everyone to try it out. It's one of those things that will cost you nothing but gives great satisfaction when you manage to make it work!

[@stevefranklin9176]

I’m sure Brian is a busy man however I would immediately subscribe to his channel should he have one regarding penmanship and history.

[@everest9707]

What a fascinating video! Thank you both - very well presented and lots of interesting detail. From the UK.

[@Lorriann63]

This was fascinating. Writing is always something I've been interested in. Thank you, Jon, for another great history lesson.

[@fugithegreat]

I've recently been doing some volunteer transcription of Revolutionary war pension records, so letter writing and penmanship has very much been on my mind. I really appreciate those who wrote with a clear hand, but I think lawyers must have been like today's doctors because sometimes I struggle to make out anything. 😂

[@Vfox1983]

I love this sort of content. I love the cooking too, but I love old documents, so much can be learned from even the most mundane notes.

[@ThePhobosAnomally]

Yes. Someone once wrote a little note. I wonder what the author whould say if someone would tell him that what he wrote will be of historical importance in the 21. century.

[@CyrusB1]

Wow, this is amazing. I love anything on books, correspondence, anything about how they communicated. I hope there's a point where you can go into the making of paper as well. Thank you!

[@mattwilliams3504]

I write with a fountain pen regularly, it's nice to another lefty in the world. 😊

[@karenblohm3279]

They had such a different way of expressing themselves back then. I had one of those wax seals in grade school. It was a thing.

[@madamrockford2508]

I'm perplexed some by your methods. I enjoy writing with Flightwing Ostrich Plumes, in all their glory, keeping the quill attached to my hat when not being used as a writing instrument. But most importantly, is the shaft. I do not dip my quill in the ink briefly, as you did, I place my quill in & allow it to suck up ink several inches. In this manner, I can write 2 pages front & back, on A4 size parchment or laid paper. I do not use pounce, as I saw you use, but a rolling blotter.

[@stereo123]

This is the video that brought me to this channel years ago! I don't know why you reposted, but I just had to watch it again and it's still great. Thank you, John!

[@s1xto]

This channel's content should be shown to kids in school to be honest. Enjoyable and informative plus the quality of the videos rival anything that i can think of that i have seen before on TV, absolutely incredible!

[@ionutvalentinsimion8301]

The passion. The storytelling. The ansamble of all presentation, subject, details... Amazing Respect Greetings from Romania

[@beccacoleman498]

I think i remember watching this episode a couple of years ago and was so facinating! Makes me want to find a quill and learn some good penmanship

[@anybodyoutthere3208]

Same I also want to find a candle and a press to seal letters with

[@SandrA-hr5zk]

I was wondering how many people would notice that this is an older video. John has a little too much hair for it to be a new video. But I remember watching it a while ago.

[@predatorfe]

What a treat for a rainy sunday afternoon! Could have watched two more hours, easily :D

[@boydgrandy5769]

Thanks for the instruction on quill pen making. I live in the land of the Canada Goose and the Wild Turkey, so I have access to excellent feathers for half the year at least. I have also dabbled in calligraphy since I was a young man in the engineering department of a nuclear powered fleet ballistic submarine. You'd be surprised about some of the off duty hobbies submariners can pick up, especially ones that don't make a lot of noise. (In addition to calligraphy, I and some of my shipmates painted portraits and pictures of seascapes and the like on long patrols in both acrylic and oil paints.) I've almost exclusively used steel nibs for calligraphy, especially when I make italic script cards and the like, and they are perfect for writing hands like copperplate, which I love to do.

[@DrDRE4391]

Excellent Presentation!

[@linwill1720]

I don't know what I thought old paper was made out of, but it wasn't old linen clothes!! 🤯 Thats the coolest fact I've learned all week!

[@KerriGilpin]

Nice throwback! I remember loving this series, and hope there are new vids on the horizon in this vein!

[@WildwoodCastle]

As a 7th generation Tennessean.. the Bowen - Campbell House is one of my favorites...

[@bluecreekdetectors]

Such fantastic work by bringing the past to be seen in modern times! Thank you for your videos!

[@kentprice9912]

Wow.. great great video. For someone who is into inks, paper, art... I'm so glad I saw this... I appreciate the old "analog" method versus doing everything on a phone today.

[@babygandalf865]

This is so fascinating. I love longer form deep dive videos like this.

[@karlahovde]

This was fascinating! I love these extra long videos for how much in-depth knowledge they contain. No matter the subject, hearing from an expert with a passion for their craft is so enjoyable.

[@GeorgeWashingtonLaserMusket]

Sir your videos are incredible and appreciated. I play a lot of D&D and you have been a continuing source of reality based inspiration for my characters/games. There's so much about our history I didn't know that you taught me and I in turn shared with my friends through play. Your cooking videos have also helped me in my personal life as I'm not very good at cooking but learning our history has improved my actual ability to cook.

[@Sheepdog1314]

I am a hand-engraver, I use the scripts/lettering style used in this time period quite often, on horn, bone, antler, ivory and metal. Part of my apprenticeship was learning to write in the old scripts, calligraphy and scrolls. Thank you for this video!

[@OnTheRiver66]

I would love to do engravings. Wonderful art and skill.

[@lindaanthony7890]

I love pens, writing, and calligraphy. So glad I found this episode of Townsends❤

[@kimivy7234]

I cannot begin to describe how much I have enjoyed this presentation! Bravo!! ❤

[@k.w.6304]

Thank you so much for your videos! I love them. I worked in a library archive / museum as an apprentice printer setting type (replica Smith Improved Printing Press c. 1821) and printing on a full sized press. The paper was standared sized A1 that we would fold and slice to size with long knives, print, hang to set, fold into signatures, and sew them together. They'd have to be sliced to be read. It was wonderfully fun. I miss the way the ink and machine oil smelled. Watercolor paper (e.g. Arches) is made out of cotton, and it shouldn't be cut with scissors. You score, then fold it on the score and it splits (I use a bookbinders bone). The Brönte museum has examples of mini wax and wafer seals that were in Emily's desk, in case anyone wants to see how tiny, etc. they are.

[@PyramidXSlender]

I love the letterlocking channel too

[@danasmith3288]

Clearly, a very important subject matter. Well done Sir.

[@jeromethiel4323]

For anyone interested, look into "Sumerian tablets." They are similar to what is discussed in this video, but much more ancient. And they were also laundry lists, shopping lists, notes to employees, etc. Which indicates to me, that even that far back, a lot of people were literate. And also, how important writing is to culture and society.

[@Ea-Nasir_Copper_Co]

Or complaints about the quality of copper.

[@SlavicCelery]

@@Ea-Nasir_Copper_Co Ea-nāṣir's copper was substandard! That guy under delivered!

[@mercster]

This episode is about paper and ink, the Sumerian tablets were written in cuneiform using styluses with a wedge tip, onto clay? I mean, obviously people were writing reading/writing before the 15th century AD... besides being two different forms of writing I don't understand what the linkage is? There are hundreds of historical/ancient writing methods.

[@jeromethiel4323]

@@mercster The link is that the artifacts recovered were simple day to day communications. There are some cultures where we have written records that are only really from the educated or ruling classes. the Sumerian tablets recovered to date span the gamut from imperial edicts (or whatever) to simple "hi, how are you" messages.

[@HJKelley47]

I am an avid handwriterm, using a fountain pen. My oldest pen is about 75 yrs old. Like yourself I seal my letters with a deep red wax seal. I have had the recipients call me to compliment me on doing a Victorian fold. I do not write with m a quill but for letter writing I use my 1940s Esterbrook desk set, requiring me to dip the nib in one of the lovely Diamine or Iroshizuku inks. There is nothing more satisfying like putting the thoughts of the heart on beautiful parchment, as you write to those you care about.

[@greghenrikson952]

Hello from a medieval scribe! I've been making my IG ink with both red wine and red wine vinegar. I think fermenting and boiling the galls helps to intensify the black. Along with a pinch of alum, per an old recipe.

[@DirtCobaine]

Man I wish letters were still common practice. I’ve always been a huge fan of more ancient history. Antiquity and medieval history. Lately however I’ve had my mind opened to 18th century history and have been fascinated. It’s such an interesting time. You have both old traditions from an older era before the industrial revolution and of course new ones post industry. It’s like the perfect time where to worlds meld into one. A perfect balance in my opinion and I’d love to see life in the eyes of someone who lived in that time. Even something as simple as writing a letter in those times seems so elegant. Using blank parchment with no guidelines, using a quill and ink. Melting wax and stamping it with your family crest. It takes mindful effort to write letters in those days and it’s no wonder why we used to speak so eloquently. Almost entirely poetic it seems.

[@gtbkts]

Thank you guys for all the awesome content and great videos!!

[@thisissoeasy]

This was incredibly interesting! Brian Allison certainly knows what he is talking about...

[@VermisTerrae]

What a handsome and knowledgeable man! You can see how dedicated he is to his craft :) great information!

[@JasonLS1776]

I love this guy. Have him on more.

[@Walliam-hw3dp]

I absolutely love the Townsends "OST", it gives every episode a sense of familiarity and nostalgia almost.

[@fezzypepper8525]

I remember the inkwell days in early Grammar School which soon shifted to the BIC ink cartridges that weren't so messy. Wow, I must be old!

[@Genethagenius]

I began studying and getting interested in Calligraphy this past year, awesome video about Quills and historical writing!!!

[@rouowward6917]

I was into this as a child. Wish I studied it more but gud to see someone is keeping these traditions alive

[@violentfrog_]

AAHHHH his writing is so fluid and consistent. I find it very hard to change my natural form

[@maryrath9062]

I saw a Lucy Worsley program about Jane Austen, and she helped to make homemade ink similar to what Jane would have used. The recipe called for adding a bit of beer, and after you explained how alcohol helped prevent mold growth it now makes sense.

[@RibbonRoulette]

I somehow missed the original uploads of these videos, so it was such a great watch to see the supercut! Thanks for the wonderful demonstrations!

[@38bass]

As a left handed person, I am highly impressed as to the technique he uses to write without smudging the ink.

[@Socrates21stCentury]

Amazing ... beautiful penmanship ... well done Sir!

[@MsLeenite]

Thank you, Jon and Brian. That was even more interesting than I expected it to be.

[@omgwtfbbqownage]

Goddayum man... I was born to discover this channel!

[@ThePhobosAnomally]

I watched this when it originally came out. I loved this miniseries. Still do.

[@avgjoeshow4208]

As an avid fountain pen user and “collector” (acquirer is more like it) this video has grabbed my attention

[@Exar_Kun]

“Gastric experimentation” lol I love it!!!

[@greenhollyknight4846]

This got me thinking, do you have any friends who are into book binding? I have always loved the thought of learning about how cooks were made and bound back then. This is why I wanted to learn how to use quill pens and everything about them. I have collected a few feathers during my high school day and have always dreamed of turning then into quills. I guess I'll have to find out what type of feathers they are before I can do anything with them. Thanks for showing me such wonderful things again.

[@Nobody-s824]

Love seeing another writing video with Mr. Allison. He's great!

[@jackiehamilton793]

Thank you for such a wonderful time learning about times past. What an inspiration! Thank you for keeping it alive.

[@TheChadPad]

This was amazing. I am coming back to watch this video again as I'm getting ready to start writing this way. Came here just to look for materials, but was so enthralled with it I watched the whole thing. I will be visiting your shop. Bravo!👏

[@lae52]

I generally tend to follow what you put out. My interests are much more 1740's Upcountry than what you normally do. This has to be one of your best episodes ever! Bravo and thank you.

[@robertnelson3672]

How many other misty-eyed, one time wanna be pirates are also watching? Apart from the scratchy, not quite how you thought it would look lettering - a real treasure map was drawn with a feather. I got some reed pens from a shop in London, Cornelissen & Son, and to stop the slit from extending too far they burned a hole so it stops there, much as is done with a car windscreen. I'm sure it's possible to use a heated needle (heated in a candle flame of course) to do the same thing. In the U.S. Johnnealbookseller has many resources for those interested in similar subjects.

[@joeybooker5182]

Thank you for such a well crafted video. I continue returning to rewatch as it is extremely educational and useful!

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Thanks for sharing with us Jon. Sounds like our revised Postal Service Route in Deep East Texas is reverting to this Old Revised Postal routing. Very poor service . The Quill and hand writing was very interesting though. Stay safe and keep up the good work. Fred.

[@anti_honey]

I'm so glad to see another of these videos again!

[@ruby71975]

Absolutely loved this video! So fascinating. As a family historian the dead letters just kill me. 😉I have a newspaper clipping from 1870 from San Antonio, TX listing the names of those who had letters at the post office. One of those names is my Great Great Grandmother. Sadly I will never know if this letter was picked up because she died after giving birth. Letter writing is/ was truly an art form and such an expression of who you are/where. Receiving a letter was so special.

[@debcarroll8192]

We are in the process of planning our Jane Austen Society meeting topics for this year, and we are in Middle Tennessee. I hope we can get Mr. Allison to present to our group. Wonderful video!

[@romerobryan83]

I love when you have this guy on the channel

[@patrickdurham8393]

My cousin worked at Mansker's Station years ago before passed away at too young an age. Love that place.

[@tmalfieri1]

THIS IS EXCELLENT!!! THANK YOU! 😊😊😊

[@karmenzoriano6864]

My hat's off to the behind the camara crew Peope beautiful lighting closeups..costumes wow a feast.

[@julieb3996]

I love writing instruments of all kinds, I am always buying all kinds of pens online, (and distribute the ones I don't like, among my office mates as gifts) I'm not neat enough to do calligraphy but I have made my own pens of bamboo and feathers. My favorite find was pelican feathers at the beach! I've already watched the video where they talked to this guy a while ago. This is one part of this channel that fascinates me!

[@gerardkiff2026]

Really enjoyed this episode. It shows you how easy we have it.

[@leenoah1505]

Thank you for going into detail on all the different elements! 💗

[@ArnoldNatasha-f6f]

Absolutely amazing handwriting We should bring it back

[@Schlachtschule]

This was wonderful--one of your most detailed, explicit videos, and I truly enjoyed it. I had seen your previous videos with Mr. Allison and found them interesting but somewhat lacking in some of the practical details, but not so this example. Well done, and thank you. More like this, please!