Judy Anne's Speedball dip pens

Of the very few tangible memories I have of my mother, her dip pens and Speedball book have always been special. Others are some pottery she made, her water colour paintings, knitting for the kids (especially the oversized jumper for JJ), apron, scarves, cook books. Her Speedball book is marked 6/- (6 shillings, no pence), and also E/- (whatever that means). Inside she wrote her name and there is a stamp COUTTS the CHEMISTS, Chemists & Booksellers, WHANGAREI, N.Z. She must have bought it when we lived in Whangarei (c. 1964-67). I don't know if she did any calligraphy before that. She probably took a night class. I don't remember ever seeing her use her pens, although she helped us with our school projects, and must have made posters for Happy Hour (vacation Bible school).

The book got so much use that it fell apart and was taped with cellotape (obviously very acidic). I took out the rusty staples and removed the tape, and stitched the book together as a single signature (also covered it with contact plastic). It's funny that I now live not far from New Jersey where the Speedball book was published.

We were all interested in lettering as kids since we used fancy letters for our school projects, especially old english. We would always trace or copy the letters from the Speedball book, everyone had one, but we never actually wrote with ink in the calligraphy style (although that possibility always intrigued me).

When I came to USA, C. was already writing calligraphy, mostly with felt tip pens (with a calligraphy point). My interest was renewed, and now JJ is taking on calligraphy (with fountain pens with calligraphy nibs). The first font he mastered was uncial, and he went from there. We bought him a set, and grandparents bought him a set. Recently he got another set at a yard sale for $1.

I just bought some india ink (thinned out so it is good for fountain pens too) and a holder for the dip pen nibs (I have two holders of mum's, but I can't find them at the minute). We have had fun using them again (and trying to read the writing on the nibs!). copyright 2008.

Twelve Pages of Speedball Charts, click here (pdf file)