Internet Horology Club 185
Help with initials

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https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/908100652

March 14, 2010, 17:36
Phillip Sanchez
Help with initials
I was trying to make out this scrpt. What does it look like?The first letter looks like a J, the other has me stumped.


March 14, 2010, 17:50
Eric Unselt
Clearly EJU, so send it on up Big Grin.
March 14, 2010, 18:03
Phillip Sanchez
I was really hoping they would match some one in our club, say if they were JF, think John III plus the watch has a 24 hour dial he loves.
March 14, 2010, 18:15
John J. Flahive III
Phil,

Clearly "JF"! Razz

Can you post a picture of the rest of the watch?

John III
March 14, 2010, 18:50
Phillip Sanchez
John, It's the 974 I got from Mike O'Brien in this auction 974
I am putting a set lever on for the one that is broken. Plus cleaning it up.
I will get you some pics tommorrow.
March 14, 2010, 19:12
David Abbe
JS is my guess
March 14, 2010, 19:26
Wayne Hanley
JMS somethin or other! Cool
March 15, 2010, 07:36
Dale Brooks
I think JF.
March 15, 2010, 08:18
Mark Cross
Works as a 'JF' to me too, as the loop is broken at the bottom of the letter to make it a solid 's' to my eye.

Regards! Mark
March 15, 2010, 10:00
Krister Olsson
My first impression was JS and it still is. For the second letter to be an F there would have been a loop to the left of the stem. That´s my opinion and I can share it. Wink
March 15, 2010, 10:28
Mitch Markovitz
Speaking as a calligrapher and one being knowledgeable on period script, and ornamental penmanship I say the initials are "JS."
March 15, 2010, 11:11
Mitch Markovitz
I made some examples of the initials. Top left is an inked version of the initials in question. To the right is a penmanship equivilant. Below that is a version of the capital "F."

In ornamental and Spencerian script there are many variations of the letterforms themselves but the principals of ovals and shades are the same.

By the way, this type of script was developed in Columbus, Ohio. This lead to the founding of "The Zanerian School of Art and Penmanship," where many master penmen and women were trained.


March 15, 2010, 11:16
Mitch Markovitz
Here's another example of a popular set of initials.

Jewelry engravers had a real task in replicating script.


March 15, 2010, 11:24
Michael O'Brien
Mitch,

Great job. Maybe your design could be a logo for us?

Mike
March 15, 2010, 11:45
Mitch Markovitz
Michael,

Thanks. Now you've given me an idea.
March 15, 2010, 13:09
Mike LaForest
Its clearly a JS, and someone has later carved a heart at the bottom to 'join' the two letters.

Mike
March 15, 2010, 13:27
Michael Loggins
I think the "logo" would be as hard to read for the uninformed as a pocket watch with initials is. Big Grin