(*Portrait and bio taken with permission from Michael Sull’s Spencerian Script and Ornamental Penmanship, Volume I.)

Patrick W. Costello

(1866-1935)

Patrick William Costello was born in Minooka, Pennsylvania in 1866, an area long known as one of the major coal regions of the state. As a young boy he exhibited an interest in lettering, yet his family's poor financial situation afforded no easy schooling for him. In his youth he worked as a clerk in a grocery store and also picked slate in the coal breakers with the other young men in the community. He had no formal training in art, except for a few lessons from WE Dennis in 1903. However, he still practiced his lettering more as a hobby, for within a short time, Patrick promoted himself in business by applying for and being offered the job as the first clerk in the City Engineering Department of Scranton, Pennsylvania. He made friends easily and enjoyed doing little engrossing jobs for his friends. These attracted the attention of professional penmen many miles away who were amazed at his work.

After working in the Department for a brief period, Costello entered local politics and served two terms as County Auditor. However, during this political portion of his life, a visitor came to see him and changed the course of the young man's career path. Costello's fame in penmanship had spread throughout the state. Charles Paxton Zaner, himself a native of the coal field region of Pennsylvania, made a special trip to see Costello and find out about his work. The great penman was astonished at Patrick's pen art, and advised him to drop out of politics and pursue a career as an engrossing artist. Costello opened up a small studio in Scranton and within a short time earned the respect and admiration of all penmen for many years. From the advice given by Zaner, a strong friendship grew between these two men that lasted the rest of their lives. Patrick W. Costello died on May 20, 1935, after being in ill health for three years. His admirable work was distinctive, often being executed only in various shades and washes of Payne's Grey or umber tones.

This specimen from Master Engrosser PW Costello was scanned from Michael Sull's Spencerian Script and Ornamental Penmanship Volume I. The image is used with Mr. Sull's permission.

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