In the posts listed below, you will find links to the writing copybooks and penmanship manuals that are available online. You will be able to download most but not all of them, and some may not be complete. Whenever I could, I added a comment on the styles represented in the book as well as some useful information.
I tried to be as exhaustive as I could, but I am sure that some references are missing… As a “pointed pen” person, I probably overlooked books focused on more traditional styles (German books are especially misrepresented here). So please let me know if you’d like me to add or correct anything in these lists.
If you want to know more about copybooks in general, Paul Antonio shared his knowledge about them in this video.
Two smaller bibliographies To help you study the Round Hand and the Italian hand
10 copybooks to study when you’re learning the Italian Hand
The Italian hand is the oldest of what we call the “pointed pen styles”. If you’ve seen it, maybe in one of Heather Victoria Held’s beautiful compositions, you’ve probably found it a little strange but full of charms. Did you know that it originated in Italy around the 1560’s, back when they didn’t have any […]
The 10 copybooks you need to know about if you study Copperplate / English Round Hand
You know I spend a lot of time looking at old copybooks, I love to study these old models and I’d love to help you get better acquainted with old Writing Masters and their works. But because there are so many options in the bibliography section, I thought it would be nice to narrow it […]
Bibliography updates
January 2025 18th century WASER (Anna and her sisters, Elisabeth and Anna Maria), Schreibüebung…, 1708 (Zürich) This one of few copybooks published by women, and in this case it was a family affair ! Anna was a Swiss painter and engraver, and she is responsible for the beautiful engraving of this copybook. Her sisters did most […]