Zaner-Bloser
Encyclopedia
Zaner-Bloser, Inc., headquartered in Columbus, Ohio
, publishes research-based handwriting, reading, writing, spelling, and vocabulary programs.
Founded by Master Penman Charles Paxton Zaner
, the company’s history can be traced back to 1888 when it was known as the Zanerian College of Penmanship. Zaner was able to streamline the Spencerian handwriting method—which was largely used in the 19th century—by adapting a handwriting
approach that was more practical for modern business documents and personal communication. Zaner’s enthusiasm about this utilitarian art inspired him to open a school that would prepare students for successful careers in the penmanship industry.
In 1891, Zaner sold shares of the Zanerian College of Penmanship to another skilled penman, Elmer Ward Bloser (forming the partnership that later created the Zaner-Bloser Company). While most penmanship
schools at the time focused on training students for careers in ornamental writing, the Zanerian College emphasized the importance of an eclectic education by teaching psychology, physiology, and English composition.
The Zaner-Bloser Company begins
In 1895, the college became known as the Zaner-Bloser Company, which continued to offer penmanship courses and began publishing professional materials about handwriting and illustration and selling handwriting supplies. The company published The Zaner Method of Arm Movement in 1904, making the simplified Zanerian writing style more readily accessible to children in elementary schools all over the United States.
In 1972, Zaner-Bloser, Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary of Highlights for Children
.
Charles Paxton Zaner, born near Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania in 1864, began showing a fondness for handwriting early in his youth. In 1882, he enrolled in G. W. Michael's Pen Art Hall in Oberlin, Ohio. After graduation, Zaner worked as a penman at two different business colleges before deciding to open his own school in 1888—the Zanerian College of Penmanship.
In 1889, fellow Master Penman Lloyd Kelchner became a partner with Zaner and two years later, Elmer Ward Bloser—another skilled penman—joined the partnership. That same year, Kelchner left the business arrangement, leading Zaner and Bloser to become equal partners in what had then become the Zaner-Bloser Company.
Zaner built a reputation for himself as a Master Penman. He maximized his exposure and recognition in the industry with monthly magazines that included countless lessons in penmanship and pen art, for which he enlisted the help of other industry experts. This, as well as numerous other endeavors, established Zaner as a pivotal figure in the Golden Age of Ornamental Penmanship.
Elmer Ward Bloser
Elmer Ward Bloser was born in 1865 and raised on his parents’ farm in Pennsylvania. His interest in writing was apparent even as a child, when he sold writing inks and supplies to neighborhood children. In 1883, Bloser began attending G.W. Michael’s Pen Art Hall , where his writing acumen eventually earned him a position as penmanship instructor.
Bloser’s penmanship career advanced with such success that he was considered one of the finest in the industry. In 1891, he purchased shares of the Zanerian College of Penmanship, which later became the Zaner-Bloser Company. After Charles Paxton Zaner's untimely death in 1918, Bloser purchased the company’s remaining shares and continued to manage Zaner-Bloser’s successful operation until his own death in 1929.
Michael Sull
New York native Michael Sull
is internationally known for his penmanship expertise with over 30 years of experience. Sull’s career, however, didn’t begin in the penmanship industry. After graduating from Syracuse University with a degree in forestry, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. It wasn’t until his discharge from the Service that he began to pursue his interest in calligraphy. Sull’s passion for penmanship has lent itself to a lengthy career in the field, enabling him to found a calligraphy guild, work as a calligrapher and lettering artist at Hallmark, and start his own ornamental penmanship company.
Today, Sull serves as Master Penman for Zaner-Bloser, performing public demonstrations and representing the company’s dedication to handwriting excellence. He is also the current director of the Master Penmanship Program at IAMPETH (The International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting) and founder of the Spencerian Saga, an intensive week-long workshop devoted to Spencerian Script and Ornamental Penmanship. He currently resides with his wife, Debra, in Gardner, Kansas.
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, publishes research-based handwriting, reading, writing, spelling, and vocabulary programs.
Company history
Zanerian College of PenmanshipFounded by Master Penman Charles Paxton Zaner
Charles Paxton Zaner
Charles Paxton Zaner was an American calligrapher, pen artist, and teacher of penmanship.Zaner was born near Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. He attended G. W. Michael's Pen Art Hall course in penmanship in Oberlin, Ohio, in 1882...
, the company’s history can be traced back to 1888 when it was known as the Zanerian College of Penmanship. Zaner was able to streamline the Spencerian handwriting method—which was largely used in the 19th century—by adapting a handwriting
Handwriting
Handwriting is a person's particular & individual style of writing with pen or pencil, which contrasts with "Hand" which is an impersonal and formalised writing style in several historical varieties...
approach that was more practical for modern business documents and personal communication. Zaner’s enthusiasm about this utilitarian art inspired him to open a school that would prepare students for successful careers in the penmanship industry.
In 1891, Zaner sold shares of the Zanerian College of Penmanship to another skilled penman, Elmer Ward Bloser (forming the partnership that later created the Zaner-Bloser Company). While most penmanship
Penmanship
Penmanship is the technique of writing with the hand using a writing instrument. The various generic and formal historical styles of writing are called hands, whilst an individual personal style of penmanship is referred to as handwriting....
schools at the time focused on training students for careers in ornamental writing, the Zanerian College emphasized the importance of an eclectic education by teaching psychology, physiology, and English composition.
The Zaner-Bloser Company begins
In 1895, the college became known as the Zaner-Bloser Company, which continued to offer penmanship courses and began publishing professional materials about handwriting and illustration and selling handwriting supplies. The company published The Zaner Method of Arm Movement in 1904, making the simplified Zanerian writing style more readily accessible to children in elementary schools all over the United States.
In 1972, Zaner-Bloser, Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary of Highlights for Children
Highlights for Children
Highlights for Children is an American children's magazine. It began publication in June 1946, started by Garry Cleveland Myers and his wife Caroline Clark Myers in Honesdale, Pennsylvania...
.
Contributors
Charles Paxton ZanerCharles Paxton Zaner, born near Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania in 1864, began showing a fondness for handwriting early in his youth. In 1882, he enrolled in G. W. Michael's Pen Art Hall in Oberlin, Ohio. After graduation, Zaner worked as a penman at two different business colleges before deciding to open his own school in 1888—the Zanerian College of Penmanship.
In 1889, fellow Master Penman Lloyd Kelchner became a partner with Zaner and two years later, Elmer Ward Bloser—another skilled penman—joined the partnership. That same year, Kelchner left the business arrangement, leading Zaner and Bloser to become equal partners in what had then become the Zaner-Bloser Company.
Zaner built a reputation for himself as a Master Penman. He maximized his exposure and recognition in the industry with monthly magazines that included countless lessons in penmanship and pen art, for which he enlisted the help of other industry experts. This, as well as numerous other endeavors, established Zaner as a pivotal figure in the Golden Age of Ornamental Penmanship.
Elmer Ward Bloser
Elmer Ward Bloser was born in 1865 and raised on his parents’ farm in Pennsylvania. His interest in writing was apparent even as a child, when he sold writing inks and supplies to neighborhood children. In 1883, Bloser began attending G.W. Michael’s Pen Art Hall , where his writing acumen eventually earned him a position as penmanship instructor.
Bloser’s penmanship career advanced with such success that he was considered one of the finest in the industry. In 1891, he purchased shares of the Zanerian College of Penmanship, which later became the Zaner-Bloser Company. After Charles Paxton Zaner's untimely death in 1918, Bloser purchased the company’s remaining shares and continued to manage Zaner-Bloser’s successful operation until his own death in 1929.
Michael Sull
New York native Michael Sull
Michael Sull
Michael Sull is an IAMPETH master penman and author living in Mission, Kansas, United States. A world-class expert on penmanship, he was Ronald Reagan's calligrapher after his Presidency and is known worldwide for his skill and teaching ability...
is internationally known for his penmanship expertise with over 30 years of experience. Sull’s career, however, didn’t begin in the penmanship industry. After graduating from Syracuse University with a degree in forestry, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. It wasn’t until his discharge from the Service that he began to pursue his interest in calligraphy. Sull’s passion for penmanship has lent itself to a lengthy career in the field, enabling him to found a calligraphy guild, work as a calligrapher and lettering artist at Hallmark, and start his own ornamental penmanship company.
Today, Sull serves as Master Penman for Zaner-Bloser, performing public demonstrations and representing the company’s dedication to handwriting excellence. He is also the current director of the Master Penmanship Program at IAMPETH (The International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting) and founder of the Spencerian Saga, an intensive week-long workshop devoted to Spencerian Script and Ornamental Penmanship. He currently resides with his wife, Debra, in Gardner, Kansas.