Understanding Herman Melville’s Handwriting

Melville's most careful manuscript revisions are quite easy to read. There is added effort as one proceeds to tackle his great vocabulary and complex sentences which, although they are surprising and delightful in a printed book, make for a greater challenge in his manuscript.

For the sake of learning his basic style, these exercises do not include his most difficult, cramped, angled, small writing, or crossed-through work. Nonetheless, these exercises are a good starting point for anyone hoping to learn to read Melville's hand.

Click on the links below to practice your transcription. Please send us feedback about these at david@americanpaleography.org

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  1. Elements of Character and Plot, Exercise 1
  2. The Letter "o," Exercise 1, a short survey
  3. The Letter "o," Exercise 2, when the "o" is separated
  4. The Letter "o," Exercise 3, "om," "on," "ion," "ions"
  5. The Letter "o," Exercise 4, "or”
  6. The Letter "o," Exercise 5, "ou" and "uou"
  7. A Window into the Alphabet and Writing Style: Words Beginning with “c," Exercise 1
  8. A Window into the Alphabet and Writing Style: Words Beginning with “c," Exercise 2
  9. A Window into the Alphabet and Writing Style: Words Beginning with “c," Exercise 3