Manuscript Penmanship On Covers And Stamps.

This is my latest addition and so far the latest date I have for fancy manuscript writing with beautiful scrollwork. This type of scrollwork is usually found on 19th century covers and is relatively uncommon on mid 20th century covers.

The insertion of the street number within the scrolling of the first letter of the street address is not only unusual but necessary due to the smallness of available space on the cover.

Beautiful handwriting, indeed. I used to know a lady who could write like that ... it's becoming a lost art.

Anyway, here's an interesting tidbit of information on the addressee, W.H. Penner. According to the 1940 US Census, one Warren Penner (age 18) lived at 4914 St. Louis Ave., Chicago with his parents, Louis and Edith Penner.

Since the cover is dated 1937, the addressee was only 15 years old at the time he received it. Just further proof that collecting covers during one's teenage years was a popular hobby back then.

Thanks wt1! This style of writing takes lots of skill and investment of time to learn, so "lost art" is an appropriate term. I search especially for hand writing that incorporates elaborate scrolling; it fascinates me. BTW, I nominate you to be the official SCF Genealogy Researcher That kind of research is not as easy as one might think. I tried it several times with very limited results.

Now that cover of yours, chipg, is beautiful. I assume it is yours. I've seen cross writing once or twice but never on a postal cover. Thanks for separating it. I think I would have twisted my neck trying to read it. However, phonographic writing is new to me. Is that what is in the boxed area to the left of Fairfield, Conn.?

phonography = shorthand. The sqiggles left of address and in the box at top left.
see: http://phono.cgpostal.com/

Oh, shorthand. Thanks chipg; I did not have to learn it, so I did not recognize it.

I personally haven't seen too many Washington / Franklins with manuscript cancels, or even fiscal cancels ?

Stalizer, Interesting, I can't say that I have seen one, ever.

My latest manuscript penmanship purchase. It's not yet in my hand but is on the way.

Nothing too special but cheap and with manuscript year dates.

3 pages and nobody has posted a Payen cover yet?



For those unfamiliar, the Payen correspondence is from the late 1957 issue until the early 1860s, from NY to France. The penmanship on them is spectacular.

Oh my, Bill. I want that cover I never heard of Payen covers until now.

Here are my 2 favorite revenue cancels

This cover is from 1960, but someone took the time to write out the address nicely,