Society for Italic Handwriting

Formation1952; 73 years ago (1952)[1]
FounderAlfred Fairbank[1]
James Wardrop[2]
Main organ
Writing Matters[3]
Websitewww.italic-handwriting.org

The Society for Italic Handwriting (SIH) is a British organisation promoting the use of italic handwriting, and better and more legible handwriting in general. It was founded in 1952 by Alfred Fairbank and other members of the Society of Scribes & Illuminators.[1][4][5][6][7]

The Scotsman wrote in 1956 that the society "did a good deal to rouse public interest and make “scribes” of ordinary or indifferent penmen".[8]

History

In 1954, the society's aims were said to be "to extend the use of cursive hands based on Renaissance models and to increase the pleasure and skill of its members in writing", and "to help teachers who would like their pupils to write an italic hand but are perplexed to know how best to make a beginning".[9] Fairbank wrote of the society:[10]

The member of the Society for Italic Handwriting, however, will regard [handwriting] from the point of view of the craftsman: it is to him a way of making and creating, and in his correspondence he finds through it the chance to express his aesthetic feelings. Those who cannot draw, but take pleasure in appearances, are afforded an inviting and welcome opportunity to add to the production of things that give visual satisfaction. Clarity and speed are obvious requirements, but how delightful to find that one can be a calligrapher and add grace to penmanship. Ordinary things are so often very ordinary, if not downright dreary, and contemporary works are frequently harsh and the expression of a heavy spirit. Now grace and delight are bidden to take part, if only in a commonplace activity.

The membership subscription in 1952 was ten shillings.[11]

Teachers were particularly represented among members of the society in its early days.[12]

A Scottish branch was started in 1957.[13]

In 1955, Fairbank said that the society had 1400 members.[13] In 1966 it was said to have members in 29 countries, with more than 400 members in America.[14] In 1999 it had 500 members.[15] In 2008 it had 300 members and as described as "growing fast".[16]

Its archives are held at the Victoria and Albert Museum.[12]

Exhibitions

In 1958 it put on an exhibition in Copenhagen, using the work of children from Casterton Secondary School.[17]

In 1959 it supplied samples for exhibitions in America.[18] This was part of a project with the New Jersey Association of Art Teachers.[19]

In 1965 the society put on an exhibition at Caldwell College.[20]

In 1966 it held an exhibition at King's Lynn.[14]

In 1977/78 it put on an exhibition, A Show of Hands, at the St Pancras Library, London, and then in 1979 at the Bodleian Library, Oxford.[21][22]

Activities

Education

The society has published educational resources, worksheets and examples of italic handwriting.[12] In 2004 it was reported as wishing to support teachers working at Key Stage 1.[23]

Awards

The society awards prizes for excellence in italic handwriting.[24] In 1978 it ran an international competition with children's and adults' sections.[25]

Journal

The society publishes a journal, which was originally called the Bulletin, later the Journal, by 1984 Signature, and from 2000 Writing Matters.[26][3][27]

Presidents

The first president of the Scottish branch was Eric Linklater.[13]

Chairs

Notable members

References

  1. ^ a b c Child, H. (1979). Calligraphy Today. Pentalic Book. Taplinger. p. 31. ISBN 978-0-8008-1186-0. Retrieved 10 Sep 2023.
  2. ^ Alexander, J. J. G. (2011). "Review: Bartolomeo Sanvito: The Life and Work of a Renaissance Scribe by de la Mare and Nuvoloni". Renaissance Quarterly. 64 (3): 896–899. doi:10.1086/662866. JSTOR 10.1086/662866. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b Ulrich's International Periodicals Directory. R.R. Bowker. 2000. p. 8819. ISBN 978-0-935744-17-0. Retrieved 10 Sep 2023.
  4. ^ Him, George (1982). "OBITUARY: MR. ALFRED J. FAIRBANK". Journal of the Royal Society of Arts. 130 (5311): 433–434. JSTOR 41373406. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  5. ^ Brown, K. (2005). Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics. Elsevier Science. p. 2466. ISBN 978-0-08-054784-8. Retrieved 10 Sep 2023.
  6. ^ Rundle, D. (2019). The Renaissance Reform of the Book and Britain. Cambridge Studies in Palaeography and Codicology. Cambridge University Press. p. 18. ISBN 978-1-107-19343-7. Retrieved 10 Sep 2023.
  7. ^ Graddol, D.; Leith, D.; Swann, J. (1996). English: History, Diversity, and Change. English Language - Routledge. Open University. p. 70. ISBN 978-0-415-13117-9. Retrieved 10 Sep 2023.
  8. ^ "Scribes and Illuminators". The Scotsman. 2 October 1956. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  9. ^ a b "An Old Italian (Cursive) Custom". Fifeshire Advertiser. 21 August 1954. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  10. ^ Fairbank, Alfred (12 March 1955). "A GRACEFUL CURE FOR THE COMMON SCRAWL: A FAIR ITALIC HAND". Illustrated London News. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  11. ^ "General Notes". Journal of the Royal Society of Arts. 101 (4888). RSA The royal society for arts, manufactures and commerce: 70. 12 December 1952. JSTOR 41364997. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  12. ^ a b c Lomas, E. (2019). Guide to the Archive of Art and Design: Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Taylor & Francis. p. 225. ISBN 978-1-135-97097-0. Retrieved 10 Sep 2023.
  13. ^ a b c "Italic Handwriting". The Scotsman. 5 June 1957. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Display of Italic Handwriting". Lynn Advertiser. 8 July 1966. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  15. ^ Mann, Natasha (1 April 1999). "Nibs make the personal point". The Scotsman. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  16. ^ Kirkwood, Holly (23 July 2008). "The Writing's on the Wall - but Will we be Able to Read it?". Country Life.
  17. ^ "Good handwriting a courtesy to others; delights those who write". Stamford Mercury. 16 May 1958. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  18. ^ "Cholmondeley italic tours the States". Winsford Chronicle. 28 February 1959. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  19. ^ "Casterton Calligraphy". Stamford Mercury. 20 March 1959. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  20. ^ "Italic Exhibit at Caldwell". The Catholic Advocate. 14 (14). 25 March 1965. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  21. ^ "Society for Italic Handwriting exhibition". Victoria and Albert Museum. 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  22. ^ Bodleian Library; Society for Italic Handwriting (1979). A Show of Hands: An Exhibition by the Society of Italic Handwriting, Revised with the Addition of the Original Manuscripts and Printed Books from the Bodleian Library : at the Bodleian Library, Oxford, 5 February - 31 March, 1979. Bodleian Library. Retrieved 10 Sep 2023.
  23. ^ Chivers, M. (2004). Dyslexia and Other Learning Difficulties: A Parent's Guide. Need-2-Know. Need2Know. p. 44. ISBN 978-1-86144-042-6. Retrieved 10 Sep 2023.
  24. ^ Batten, J. (1997). Awards, Honors and Prizes. Awards, Honors & Prizes: Volume 2: International & Foreign. Cengage Gale. p. 233. ISBN 978-0-7876-1347-1. Retrieved 10 Sep 2023.
  25. ^ "PRIZES FOR ITALIC WRITING". Kent & Sussex Courier. 28 July 1978. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  26. ^ Fern, Alan M. (1966). "Reviews. Calligraphy and Palaeography: Essays Presented to Alfred Fairbank on His 70th Birthday". The Library Quarterly: Information, Community, Policy. 37 (1). JSTOR 4305752. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  27. ^ Liu, C. (1984). New Excursions from the Hall of Harmonious Wind. E.J. Brill. p. 311. ISBN 978-90-04-06976-3. Retrieved 10 Sep 2023.
  28. ^ "Lord Rocksavage presents school handwriting awards". Nantwich Chronicle. 21 July 1966. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  29. ^ "The Marquess of Cholmondeley visits his school - And talks about his handwriting". Nantwich Chronicle. 28 June 1958. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  30. ^ "Mandy's disappointment". Lynn Advertiser. 1 July 1986. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  31. ^ "Presidents Past and Present". The Society for Italic Handwriting. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  32. ^ Whittaker, Jackie (5 October 1993). "The old Etonian gives jazz a touch of class". Staffordshire Sentinel. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  33. ^ a b Neville, Foster (Summer 2021). "A Word from the Chair" (PDF). Writing Matters. 85. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  34. ^ G, CT (29 November 1952). "Crusade for better writing". Middlesex County Times.
  35. ^ "Man of distinction". West London Observer. 14 June 1957.
  36. ^ "Present building expected to close TIMSBURY PLAN FOR NEW SCHOOL". Somerset Guardian and Radstock Observer. 1 July 1960.
  37. ^ "Home for the Day: A Saturday Supplement to Woman's Hour". Programme Index. BBC. 24 February 1968. Retrieved 11 September 2023. A Fine Italic Hand: AIR CHIEF MARSHAL SIR THEODORE McEvoy , Chairman of the Society for Italic Handwriting, talks to Teresa McGonagle
  38. ^ Norton-Taylor, Richard (5 June 2013). "Sir Patrick Nairne obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  39. ^ "THE SOCIETY FOR ITALIC HANDWRITING - Charity 287889". register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  40. ^ "Obituary: Abbot Patrick Barry, headmaster, cleric". The Scotsman. 11 March 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  41. ^ "Alec Clifton-Taylor, O.B.E., Hon. F.R.I.B.A." (PDF). Annual Report 1985-86. The Kensington Society: 8. 1986. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  42. ^ https://archives.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/repositories/2/resources/3048
  43. ^ "THE SOCIETY FOR ITALIC HANDWRITING - Charity 287889". register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  44. ^ Florey, Kitty Burns (27 November 2013). "Does Handwriting Still Matter In A Digital World?". Huff Post. Retrieved 11 September 2023.

Further reading

  • "The Society for Italic Handwriting", Anna Hornby, in Calligraphy and Palaeography, edited by AS Osley (1965)
  • A Show of Hands: An Exhibition by the Society of Italic Handwriting, Revised with the Addition of the Original Manuscripts and Printed Books from the Bodleian Library : at the Bodleian Library, Oxford, 5 February - 31 March 1979 (1979)
  • Dance of the Pen: Celebrating Fifty Years of the Society for Italic Handwriting 1952-2002, by Foster Neville, John Fricker and Ludwig Tan (Roundtuit Publishing, 2002)