Specimens Penmanship: First Edition (4 results)

Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. Rare Set of 4 Antique Victorian Penmanship & Calligraphy Copybooks (1864-1869) School: Werneth Academy, Coppice Street, Oldham Conducted by: Mr. Weld Original Owner: Master W. Thompson An exceptional collection of four original mid-Victorian student copybooks showcasing exceptional ornamental penmanship, copperplate script, and period calligraphy exercises. These books offer a fascinating local history glimpse into 1860s education in Oldham. Quantity: 4 complete books. Dates Included: 1864, 1866, 1868, and 1869. Content: Approximately 27 used pages across the four books featuring hand-written penmanship exercises. Covers: Stunning, highly decorative Victorian embossed covers featuring gilt details, paper lace layers, and central romantic/pictorial vignettes. Provenance: Includes the distinctive emblem on the introductory pages: "Werneth Academy, Coppice Street, Oldham. Conducted by Mr. Weld", identifying the pupil as Master W. Thompson. Dimensions: Three books measure approximately 30cm x 23cm; one book is slightly smaller. Condition Report: Antique, pre-owned condition consistent with items over 150 years old. Light edge wear, minor toning/foxing, and typical age-related wear to the covers and paper pages as shown in photos. Some noticeable creasing wear to title page tissue guards. Signed by Author(s).…

Folio [c. 36 x 24 cm]. Blank, unnumberred engraved Frontispiece, Engravings numbered 1 to 119 and 121 to 212. Page 120 is missing. Old black polished calf with elaborate gilt decorations to boards and spine. Dentelles. All edges gilt. Gilt title, author and publishing date ('London 1733') on spine. Five raised bands. Marbled end papers. Very good condition. Binding rubbed and bumped with some minor material losses to spine and corners (please review images). Front hinge started to open with front free end paper and leading two blanks partially loose. Remnants of a red morocco Ex Libris on front free end paper. The two blanks in the front of the book and the one at the end are creased and lack a corner each. The entire text black, consisting of 212 Engraved pages in Excellent condition. Mild age darkening and occasional very mild foxing throughout. The occasional small ink stain. A tiny worm hole close to the binding (not affecting any of the actual engravings) visible between pages 180 and 198. Overall an exceptionally well preserved and clean copy of this scarce item. George Bickham (1684-1758) was an English writing master and engraver. He is best known for his engraving work in The Universal Penman, a collection of writing exemplars which helped to popularize the English Round Hand script in the 18th century. In 1712, Bickham wrote copy books and business texts as there was a strong link between writing and mathematics (arithmetic and bookkeeping) instruction in the mid 17th century to early 18th century. Bickham collected from 25 London writing masters in 1733 to create and engrave the penmanship samples forming the Universal Penman, which was reported to be the most important and popular of copy texts used by writing masters to instruct their pupils. George Bickham also published The British Monarchy which is a collection of 188 plates of historical notes with 43 plates of views of English and Welsh counties. They are called views rather than maps although they are presented as map-like perspectives with major towns marked. (Wikipedia). …

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. A striking and highly decorative Victorian work showcasing the art of ornamental penmanship, heraldry, and calligraphic design, produced at the height of 19th century interest in writing as both a professional skill and an artistic discipline. This work is far more than a simple manual. It represents a transitional moment in visual culture, where handwriting remained central to administration, law, and commerce, yet was elevated into a refined art form. The plates demonstrate elaborate flourished scripts, heraldic compositions, and formal document styles, reflecting the standards expected in official, legal, and aristocratic environments. Particularly notable are the finely executed heraldic plates, including hand coloured coats of arms of European powers and principalities, and the facsimile reproductions of historical scripts such as Domesday Book and early royal hands. These connect the practice of penmanship directly to authority, governance, and institutional record keeping. The present copy carries a significant ownership element, with the name William Bayley stamped to the upper board, suggesting either a presentation copy or retained example associated with the author or his immediate circle. Such association copies are increasingly desirable, particularly in works that function as both teaching material and artistic portfolio. Offered by Atlas Rare Books, specialists in rare and antiquarian books. Works of this type were often used in training clerks, legal writers, and government officials, making them closely tied to the infrastructure of empire, administration, and record keeping. In this context, the book sits at the intersection of art, bureaucracy, and education. Today, it appeals across multiple collecting categories, including calligraphy, design, heraldry, and the history of writing, while also offering strong visual display value through its plates.…

JONES, William. POIKILOGRAPHIA; OR, THE VARIOUS SPECIMENS OF ORNAMENTAL PENMANSHIP COMPRISING TWENTY-TWO DIFFERENT ALPHABETS. London: Privately Printed, 1880. Folio. Publisher's half-calf, marbled boards, engraved label. 23 engraved plates. First edition. [Bonacini, 912]. A scarce, privately printed calligraphic manual by William Jones, a writing master "patronised by His Majesty." The plates are engraved on tissue which is pasted onto sturdier leaves. The thick paper leaves show some foxing and the covers are worn. An uncommon book in any condition.…