Spencerian Cursive Copybook Set Plus Theory

The media could not be loaded. These are re-published new copies of the original 1864 course on how to learn Spencerian penmanship. It is an interesting, effective, and fun as I hoped it would be! The included “theory” book walks you through how to sit at your desk, how to hold your pen, and a detailed discussion of the size and spacing of every letter, lowercase and capital, and how it all fits together. The five practice books then instruct you to practice each of the individual “principles” or shapes that form the letters, then the letters themselves, working all the way up to complete sentences as you progress through the books.NOTE!The one thing this course doesn’t really discuss is the pen and ink, presumably because in 1864 it was assumed you’d be using a pointed metal nib on a dip pen. Today’s learners have a lot of options—ball point pens, gel pens, cartridge pens, dip pens, all in different sizes, colors and nib types. Not all pens and nibs will work well for this course! I’ve seen a few bad reviews, and nearly all of them were complaints about the ink bleeding through the paper. This will NOT happen if you’re using the correct pen/nib and using them correctly. If you’re an absolute beginner trying to figure this out, I suggest you start with a dip pen (not cartridge or any other type) with a Speedball brand fine tip pointed nib such as their #512 EX FINE. This is the general type of nib required to faithfully reproduce Spencerian penmanship and is most similar to what you’d be using if it were 1864. I would also suggest Noodler’s brand ink if you can get it—Speedball ink tends to be a bit more watery but may also work fine here. Finally, make sure you follow the instructions for correctly holding and using the pen; it requires only the lightest touch to make Spencerian, and uses very little ink (and makes your nib last longer) when done correctly. I have attached a video of a lesson page I completed, and as you can see there is absolutely no bleeding of ink to the back side of the page.

This set of penmanship books are great if you want to improve your handwriting skills. Today most children have lost the ability to write in cursive. These books are great to teach them as well as improve your own hand writing skills for the next note card you have to write. Everyone can benefit from these books.

Teach your child to write cursive; the public school won’t! Born in 1952, I had the worst handwriting in my class. Now I have very good handwriting. Get a Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen to practice with also.

This "Spencerian Cursive Copybook Set" is well-suited for beginners or anyone looking to improve their handwriting. The quality of the paper is excellent, making it easy to follow along with the neat and structured prompts in the practice booklets.The Theory Lesson Book, though not as polished as modern guides and originally published in 1874, offers a unique and detailed perspective on Spencerian cursive. While it may require some patience to fully appreciate, it remains an informative resource.As someone experienced in calligraphy, I found the set slightly basic for my needs but recognize its great value for novices. I plan to keep this set for my son to use as he grows older, confident that it will be an excellent learning tool. Overall, this is a worthwhile purchase for those interested in developing their cursive writing skills.

This is wonderful training for those that wish to improve their cursive. I learned the Palmer method I wanted to improve.I had to read the theory several times before I understood. It is an interesting delve into the past and discipline, and practice, practice, practice.

I bought this set for my homeschool freshman son, wanting to get back to the basics of excellent handwriting. Having homeschooled two other children through high school who, despite being urged to do handwriting of some sort every school year through 10th - 11th grades, consistently balked at learning how to write manuscript. I'm sorry I didn't make it more of a requirement than an option.I've noticed, and had confirmed my by other parents, both homeschooled and "regular" school, that there has been a significantly decreasing emphasis on this skill in the past 15 - 20 years.I'm determined that my youngest will have this skill well developed when he graduates.One key reason for this is that the older two students, one now a college senior, recognized their own folly upon going to college. Their lack of proficiency with manuscript, they've come to realize, just slows them down with note taking, in writing answers to essay questions on tests, etc.Another reason for proficiency with this skill becomes apparent when its time for students to prepare for college, if they're intention is to attend one. Inability to use manuscript proficiency, some studies have consistently shown, results in a lower score on essay answers.A lot of homeschool parents are "curriculum" junkies, so a lot of us have extensive collections of materials. I've had very many handwriting materials over the years and I find that the Spencerian set is the best one I've ever seen.Skills are broken down into easily comprehensible and focused sections, requiring a small time investment for each. This makes use of the system much more likely; learning and practicing skills is not burdensome. The language employed is engaging and direct.The materials themselves are attractive and very inviting. I haven't seen anyone encounter the set so far that doesn't respond with delight in the appearance and a desire to thumb through and take a look.In addition to the elegant appeal of the appearance, the presentation and overall design for use is very efficient: lessons are in the theory book, which one will have forever available, with practice meant to occur in the copybooks. You can simply purchase one theory book and reuse it, time and again, and simply purchase a set, or singles, of the copybooks, or migrate to paper over time.I'd recommend this set for anyone who is starting a child in third or fourth grade - as long as that child has average to above average reading comprehension abilities, or with intention of direct instruction - all the way to adults who want to improve their own handwriting.If I were to do things over again on this subject, I'd start and stay with this program. In addition to all of its smart features, it is an incredible value, which I know comes at a high premium for a lot of homeschool families, who are always working to stretch their budgets.