How to write like Hannibal Lecter, M.D.

Cafe Society
1

This place being what it is, there are probably many of you here, people who have been taught to properly scribe in an elegant copperplate script with expensive fountain pens and on scented paper. I did not have this privilege, having grown up typing most of my homework and only doing what you know as printing when I wrote my exams or in my diary.

So, to everyone who can write, where did you learn to? And how can I?

2

First, you have to buy yourself a nice chianti.

3

Actually, it was an Amarone in the book. And I’ve tried both, but all they do is make my writing even more illegible.

4

Fair enough. I typed in copperplate +pens +faq, and found a lack of any faq on the topic.http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.collecting.pens-pencils/browse_thread/thread/a72a8540683a0b9b/0b8bb6eb386bbaaf?q=copperplate+%2Bpens+%2Bfaq&rnum=1#0b8bb6eb386bbaaf I know nothing about pens, but reading over the newsgroup alt.collecting.pens-pencils, it sounds like there are instructiuonal books, not avalible on the internet, unlike just about every hobby I have come across. Either you can post to the newsgroup for help, go to a local store that sells pens, and ask about getting started, or hope that someone here knows how to do it.

5

Whoops, look like I spoke to soon. http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.collecting.pens-pencils/browse_thread/thread/1e0c2602900c80a4/5bf571811451745a?q=copperplate+&rnum=8#5bf571811451745a

6

Personally, I would recommend you not try to learn to write in a copperplate script. First of all, you’ll need a flexible nib pen, which for a beginner, might be hard to handle. Second, copperplate script was invented for engraving, not handwriting.

If you’re really interested in learing good handwriting, I’d recommend you start with a basic chisel-tip (“calligraphy”) nib, and learn a basic italic script. Your handwriting will improve almost immediately and if you’re still interested in learning

Just go to your nearest art supply store and pick up a basic calligraphy set and instruction book and start. You might be pleasantly surprised with the results.

I have a very nice book called “Please Write.” I think it’s by Wolf von Eckard. You could pick up a used copy from Amazon for a couple bucks, I’d guess. It’s a great place to start.