Martin's System of Practical Penmanship: Taught in 24 Lessons at His Writing and Book Keeping Academy, no. 182 Main Street, Worcester, Mass

Worcester: Printed by Henry J. Howland, [ca. 1847]. First edition. Oblong 4to. Engraved frontispiece portrait of Martin by Oliver Pelton, 11 engraved plates by W.B. Emery after writing samples with flourishes by Martin, printed by A.C. Beaman, with tissue guards. [10], [6] pp. Publisher's cloth, front cover stamped in gilt "Martin's Pearls" within gilt wreath, a.e.g.; covers worn at extremities, ffep creased and torn with tissue repair, frontispiece and title offset, some foxing A handsome penmanship manual, the plates elaborately flourished with birds, fish, leaves and flowers the plates now perhaps more of interest as folk art than instructional models. Martin ran a bookkeeping and writing academy in Worcester with his three brothers. His method, which teaches a highly ornamental copperplate, reduces letters to seven component strokes. The 24 lessons, described in the letterpress text, are illustrated in the 11 engraved plates demonstrating the component strokes, instructions for composing letters with model quotations, as well as several special hands: modern secretary, ornamental Italian hand, German or Gothic, ladies' hand, and text hand for headings. The final six letterpress pages comprise examples of morally improving quotations to be copied, demonstrating the inextricable link between penmanship and moral instruction in 19th century America.PROVENANCE: George D. Davis (calligraphic signature with bird flourishes on ffep)REFERENCE: Nash 350