Sign for M.U. Tibbetts's Writing Academy

DateProbably 1850-1875

Probably by M. U. Tibbetts

MediumPaint, gilt, and sand on eastern white pine with iron nails

DimensionsOverall: 15 7/8 x 48 x 2 1/8in. (40.3 x 121.9 x 5.4cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1977.707.1

DescriptionA signboard enclosed in a simple frame. The background is black; two lines of writing in two different styles (the top one script, the lower one block shadow) advertise a writing academy. Gilding serves as the shadowing for the lower line of letters.
Label TextNineteenth-century writing masters, or "chirographers," retained the eighteenth-century concept of penmanship as an art form, but they also recognized the need to democratize handwriting instruction in order to make social acceptance and business advantages available to more Americans [noe 1]. Numerous penmanship "systems" were developed and published before 1850, and handwriting was taught at writing schools and by itinerants of varying levels of competence.

It would be ironic if M. U. Tibbetts engaged a sign painter to design and paint the sign used for his own academy. An accomplished penman would have had little difficulty in enlarging a writing sample that was legible from a distance. Moreover, creating such signs for others would have provided additional income for writing masters. This sign was found in Exeter, Maine, but no information about Tibbetts or the location of the school has been located to date.
InscribedTwo lines of lettering appear on the sign. The top, in script, reads "M. U. Tibbetts'" and the lower, in block letters, reads "WRITING ACADEMY."

On the reverse of the sign, in pencil in script over the right half, appear the letters "M U / M". The first "M" here is a fancy one, with pointed peaks and numerous curling flourishes, whereas the second "M" is a much plainer one. (In fact, the latter appears to be the model for the script "M" on the front of the sign). A second fancy "M" appears in pencil on the left half of the back of the sign.

See the file for partial and possible transcriptions of other lettering that appears on the back of the sign.
ProvenanceFound in Exeter, Maine; Berdan's Antiques, Hallowell, Maine.

Exhibition(s)