Nov 30, 2010: Notebook Covers

[xoxoxoBruce]

In the 1860s, many of today's professions didn't exist, hell, even medicine was pretty crude. But there was one longstanding profession, Engineer, that was respected, and was important to the growth of the nation, before MBAs ruined everything.

The Engineer had to render not only blueprints for the builders, but illustrations to show the customer what they would get for their money. These illustrations were pen & ink drawings embellished with watercolor paint.

This 1860s engineering student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, embellished his notebook covers to demonstrate his skills.
Best to impress the professor, and avoid being drafted into Mr Lincoln's Army.



These were done with a steel nib ink pen, one step above a goose quill.
I used this same type pen to do Palmer Method handwriting exercises in grade school.
I can appreciate a ballpoint pen more than most.



You can see a larger version here.