(*Portrait
and bio taken with permission from Michael Sull’s Spencerian Script and Ornamental
Penmanship, Volume I.)
Charlton V. Howe
(1870-1952)
Charlton
Valentine Howe, who shared with Willis Baird the distinction of possessing the
highest degree of skill in engraver's script above all other penmen, was born
on February 14, 1870 in LaGrange, Missouri. When he was seven years old his
father engaged an itinerant writing teacher to begin schooling the young boy in
penmanship. At the age of 17, he worked as a clerk for a railroad company, a
job that he secured due to his good penmanship. Two years later he became a
clerk for a lumber company, but determined that in order to find more lucrative
employment he needed to further his education in business skills. With this
objective in mind he decided to attend the Gem City Business College in Quincy,
Illinois. He entered as a student in 1892 and studied penmanship under master
penman HP Behrensmeyer. After graduation, he went to Chicago the following year
to attend the World's Fair and to seek employment. He was soon offered a
position as a clerk in another railroad company, and 6 months later advanced
himself with a better position working for a wholesale jewelry store. He
remained in this job for 6 months when he took a course in Engraver's Script
from IW Pierson with the thought of preparing himself for a position as a
policy engrosser. After this he worked at several other companies, and in the
summer of 1899 he became associated with Chicago's leading engrosser, MCL Ricketts.
In this situation he assisted by engrossing numerous diplomas, and learned much
about the various Engrossing techniques used by the masters.
Throughout
his long life, Howe continued to work in a clerk's capacity, while he also
taught and wrote numerous lessons on Engraver's Script for the American Penman
and The Business Educator. C. P. Zaner
introduced him to his bride-to-be. The
couple was married in Mr. Zaner's home on April 12, 1902. Mr. Howe preferred
the Gillott 604EF pen and the unique 'Skeels' type holder
oblique holder.
