As with the nineteenth- and sixteenth-century writing manuals, Sassoon’s instructions and accompanying fonts are intended to teach the basic forms and techniques of good handwriting. The styles are intended to be simple, fluid and easy for children to master. Simpler, more primary instruction is represented by Rosemary Sassoon’s various typefaces based on her experience in teaching children. All these chancery styles also belong to another category of types known as Calligraphic, Broad-pen, or Edged Pen. Caliban, Captain Quill, Amarone, and Florens are typefaces that refer to this more recent Chancery Italic resurgence. The same chancery Italic style enjoyed a resurgence in the second half of the twentieth century, having been identified as a very economical, clear and fast writing method by Edward Johnston, Alfred Fairbank, Lloyd J. P22 Operina and 1522 Vicentino are both based on Arrighi’s writing, Cataneo BT is based on writing instruction of Bernardino Cataneo, and Mercator by Arthur Baker is based on Mercator’s instruction.
These handwriting styles and fonts can also be categorized as Copperplate, Pointed-pen, or Formal Scripts.Ĭhancery Italic was the method shown in many historic writing manuals of the sixteenth century, by Palatino, Cresci, Amphiareo, Tagliente, Mercator, and others. In the twenty-first century, very few people are able to write in these historic styles, but a few writing experts keep the flame alive, and meet every year at the International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting (IAMPETH) conference. Many of the instructors, like Bickham and Snell, were impresarios whose writing manuals displayed virtuosic, extravagant displays of skill. Bickham Script, P22 Zaner, King Bloser, Snell Roundhand, Business Penmanship, and Burgues Script are all based on penmanship styles from this period. Zaner-Bloser, Ames, Palmer and Spencerian were some pointed-pen methods taught in the United States during the early twentieth century. As fashion and technology changes, the prevalent handwriting styles change, too. There are dozens of these styles, from many countries and many centuries. These could be considered Instructional Hands specific schemes taught and propagated by a writing master as a foundational writing hand for students. There are a number of different formal handwriting styles, which give a distinct period flavor to text. Andy, Fineprint, MVB Calliope, Cavolini, Koorkin or Scooter are some of the many options.
Go for these when an informal, friendly or casual effect is needed. Some handwriting is much less cursive, and these fonts reproduce that effect. Letters may not connect, but they are still casual and hand-written. Occasionally there is a need for a typeface that conveys the informality of handwriting without completely masquerading as actual handwriting.