Thursday 13 August 2015

THE PEN MUSEUM - BIRMINGHAM

Last week I was in Birmingham on a print and Book Art course and while I was there I discovered a Pen Museum! 

 
My excitement soured but sadly it was only open during the hours of my course. Luckily it was just a short walk away so (unable to miss this opportunity) I decided to go during my lunch break.  And boy, I'm so glad I did! 
 
I went in, planning the briefest of visits but was warmly welcomed and offered a guided tour. I decided I would probably learn far more by accepting this offer rather than dashing round on my own, and again, it was a good decision. I learnt so much and I will definitely be going back for a more leisurely visit.  But let me take you on the guided tour and show you why:



Making a pen nib is a five stage process and each machine cuts or imprints a different part.  I was invited to make my own!  I can't use it as the metal would have been hardened after manufacture but it is a lovely keepsake.

 
The museum is on the site of an original Victorian pen factory and it's hey day Birmingham provided 75% of the worlds pens!  Can you imagine how successful and busy this trade must have been!  The museum provides a wonderful legacy to that bygone era and is a hidden treasure. 
 
The pens were weighed after production and this 'LOT' is one persons daily production:
 



There are examples of all kinds of pen nibs, from basic to specialised.  I never knew music scores were written with a five point pen nib but it makes sense when you do know!



And then there are the beautiful and specially designed:



In the next room there are display cases of exhibition pieces. Unfortunately it was difficult to get a good photo in the time allowed and with the reflection but these give you some idea of the skill and magnificence of the work: 
 

And other writing related collections were also on display.  Beautiful staplers:


Typewriters that you could use...


A machine to print Braille. 
What's more, I was invited to print my name.  Wonderful!! 


And a Stenograph.  It seems these did not last long and like the forerunner, shorthand, it had to be transcribed afterwards. 
As does the now used taped recordings!


As well as pens there are beautiful ink wells. Does anyone remember using ink at school? My ink came in a bottle or in a small ceramic pot on the corner of my desk. Gosh - I am showing my age!
 

What a shame most children today don't learn proper handwriting using ink. And even more worrying, I listened to a TED TALK video where  Jake Weidmann  says that some schools in US are doing away with handwriting altogether and teaching children to write using computers and modern technology. 

NO!!!
 
There are so many reasons we can't let this happen, if only because the physical action of using the hand connects with how we process thought and retain memory.  Thank goodness there are people like Jake around who keep the art of writing and using ink alive. Otherwise beautiful penmanship like this would be lost. Do take a moment to view if you can. It is breath taking. 
 
Meanwhile I took the opportunity to quickly write with a quill pen. It was so smooth and easy, and I have been collecting large feathers to make my own quills.  I also have a collection of unopened inks in various colours.  I don't propose for one minute to try and copy Jake's work but I might play a bit, and show my granddaughters. After all, it is up to our generation to keep this alive too.
 
 






If you want to find out more or visit the Pen Museum there is information here
 
POSTSCRIPT:  In case you miss it, 'Lady Ella' left a comment below and included a link to another interesting read.  It seems Finland is also planning to stop teaching children joined up writing.
A travesty! 
As the author states 'Handwriting is the face of a person out of sight, as distinctive as their gait, their features or their dress'.
How true!!  In the days of real letters arriving through my door I would get excited looking at the distinctive handwriting and guessing who it was from. Somehow an email arriving into my box doesn't have the same thrill, but luckily some of my friends agree that real letters are both a joy to send and receive, and that hand writing is a thing of beauty even if it is not a work of art. So I do still get happy mail and the joy of guessing who it is from, and from hereon I am going to write by hand even more! And I am going to use pen and ink!

18 comments:

  1. I used to have a modern equivalent of the music stave 5 line pen - it wasn't easy to use! Your recent posts have inspired me to look for a calligraphy course. I keep saying I'd like to, so now I'm definitely going to. The Jake W work is truly amazing and inspiring, so thank you for bringing him to my attention.

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    1. I'm glad I have inspired you to do a calligraphy course Eileen, I went to a local hall at the weekend and was admiring the beautiful manuscripts. The script and illustrations are breath taking and something todays writing and books miss out on.
      Isn't Jake W inspirational!!

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  2. I'm beginning to think I need a trip to Birmingham - only thing I remember from previous visits if fabulous curry. Your enthusiasm for this museum is radiating off the screen and I can see why

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    1. Curry is one of our favourite dishes, I'll this to my list of things to do when I revisit Helena!

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  3. Very interesting. Another Brum feature I've missed! Must have had my eyes shut! Fabulous museum and I do agree about penmanship. Was reading only yesterday that Finland is to stop teaching cursive writing to children. The writer made several points against, not least the one made in your film about the sincerity, import and permanance of a handwritten document, be it the Declaration of Independence, a love letter or a note of condolence.

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    1. The museum is well worth a visit next time you go. How awful that Finland is going to stop cursive writing, don't they realise that children learn so much more through doing this than just the 'writing'. There is the satisfaction of creating something beautiful, taking time to do it well, and learning concentration and practice makes perfect (well.... sometimes!) I have scraps of my dad and nan's handwriting, neither of them with us anymore, so these feel real personal treasures that I cherish. If it were something written on a computer it would feel so much less so.
      Let's set an example and hand write when ever we can!

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  4. PS. If interested, see this link:
    http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/dear-finland-please-reconsider-the-value-of-a-handwritten-letter-10432692.html?origin=internalSearch

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    1. What an interesting article. Thank you for sharing it - I especially like the but where the author says how 'Handwriting is the face of a person out of sight, as distinctive as their gait, their features or their dress'. This is so true! In the days of letters arriving through my door, rather than an email into my box, I would get excited looking at the handwriting to guess who it was from. Handwriting is as unique as the person themselves, part of their identity. It would be such a shame to loose this. Another dumbing down.

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  5. What a wonderful place. I'm sure I'd love a trip round there..especially with an enthusiastic companion such as your good self!

    I'm in total agreement with your discussion about handwriting. Not least because I dislike typing and can't ever write anything as I type, I have to scribble it out first so that I can think

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    1. I can think of nothing nicer than going round the museum with you Sian! What a treat that would be!
      It's interesting that you handwrite before you type - just proves the point that the hand connection helps us to think. Perhaps I should try this as I would love to tell a story half as well as you do.

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  6. Looks like a very interesting museum. I like the individual nibs. I remember ink at school and blotting paper. My mum always told us not to let anyone else write with our pens because someone writing in a different way would spoil the nib! I also remember pens that leaked in my bag.
    Stopping teaching writing is criminal!

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    1. I remember being told this too Maggie, I guess there is truth in us each holding our pen differently and it gradually developing a nib that is unique to the scribe. Sadly I still have pens that leak in my bag, but probably not as badly as yours!

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  7. James hopes to go to the University of Birmingham, so I may be making visits to Birmingham some time soon - I'll look for the Pen Museum.
    James prefers to write by hand, though much of his school work is typed now. I think the process of writing is so closely linked to our thought processes; typing doesnt stimulate the same parts of the brain. Imagine not learning to write... How would those children function in the real world? Not being able to jot down a quick note for someone, or sign a birthday card properly, or write a shopping list - so many things we just take for granted would become so difficult. This idea is as ill-conceived as the "let them spell how they say it" idea in the '70s and early '80s. A whole chunk of the population can't spell properly - now we risk having a group who can only put their thoughts on paper via a keyboard. Unthinkable!

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    1. You will love visiting James in Birmingham Lizzie, there are some amazing buildings and much redevelopment going on. I'm glad you feel as strongly about hand writing and what you say about trends is so true - like times tables, children do not learn them by rote and while this may not mean understanding of numbers it does mean people of older generations are often more able to calculate in their heads.

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  8. Sandie, this looks absolutely fascinating and the displays are magnificent. For so many of us scrapbookers, this would be a brilliant place to go and thank-you for alerting us to it and showing us round :). As for stopping teaching handwriting - what? Why on earth? When the satellites get knocked out and the internet fails to work and electricity is severely rationed, those of us who know how to use a pen will be kings and queens :).

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    1. You are so right Alexa. We can not rely on technology - I've known shops to shut their doors when there is a power cut or problem because computers are down. The beautiful of handwriting is already diminished, let's make a concerted effort to turn this around even if it is only for ourselves and those we know. You never know, it might start a trend! Kings and Queens we shall be!! x

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  9. How marvelous! Any tips on making the quill pen?
    Off to the links you posted :~)

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    1. I don't have any tips yet, but have collected some feathers so I hope to be experimenting soon!

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