Calligraphy, or writing as a decorative art, was especially popular in America during the second half of the nineteenth century. Originally used as an exercise to train students to perfect their handwriting, steel pen drawings made with repeated cursive flourishes and strokes provided an interesting diversion from the repetitive penning of p’s and q’s in learning to write. Calligraphic drawing also gave the accomplished scribe a means of showing his or her ability and gave penmanship masters a way to advertise their profession.

This example served as both a drawing and writing exercise for the students of Miss Lillian Hamm. The individual birds on small cards were executed by the students, then pasted onto a larger drawing and presented to their teacher. The style of calligraphy used here is often called “Spencerian drawing,” after Platt Rogers Spencer (1800–1864), the best known of the nineteenth-century penmanship instructors. In addition to teaching, Spencer promoted his method of “Semi-Angular” penmanship in a series of copybooks that also contained ornamental exercises.

Elizabeth V. Warren, "Spencerian Birds," in Stacy C. Hollander, American Anthem: Masterworks from the American Folk Art Museum (New York: Harry N. Abrams in association with American Folk Art Museum, 2001), 353.