Louis Madarasz
Encyclopedia
Louis Madarasz was an American
calligrapher, born in San Antonio, Texas
, regarded as one of the most highly skilled ornamental penmen of all time.
.
In the late 1870s he enrolled as a student at the Rochester Business University in Rochester, New York
. While attending this institution, his facility with the pen earned him a reputation throughout the state. During the years that followed, Madarasz took on penmanship positions at a number of institutions. His wanderings eventually led him to Manchester, New Hampshire
, the location of Gaskell's penmanship school. Besides being an accomplished master penman, Gaskell was also a businessman who recognized advertising
opportunities. Madarasz, whose fame as a penman was fairly widespread by this time, also recognized the opportunity to further his own skills by being associated with Gaskell. It was a good association for both men, and soon the famous signature of Madarasz appeared on the advertisements for Gaskell's Compendium. Madarasz stayed with Gaskell for several years, learning much about advertising and the business of mail order
.
; Jersey City, New Jersey
; and Poughkeepsie, New York
. Regarding his social interests, he enjoyed chess and other board games, and was quite skilled at playing them. He also enjoyed the theater, not only as a spectator, but as an actor
. He once studied under a professional thespian
and even had a part in a stage performance. This interest was, however, only temporary in the penman's life, and he soon went back to his love and profession of penmanship with greater zeal then ever before.
Over the years, Madarasz never tired of traveling, working and teaching. He had incredible energy to devote to penmanship, and the quality of his work never faltered. His speed of execution was reputed to be faster than any penman, before or since. His style was unique, a dramatic, rather heavily shaded variety of ornamental writing. It has been said that Madarasz's penmanship style was copied by more penmen than that of any other. In 1908-1909, Madarasz involved himself in a most ambitious project to earn money. He purchased large, new scrapbooks of two hundred pages each. He then filled each page of the books with his own penmanship. To do this he copied his own business letters, correspondence, writing lessons and display writing and pasted them, one by one, upon each page. He advertised them as the Madarasz Scrapbooks, and sold them for $45; $25 to be paid as a deposit, and then $5 per month on the balance. In all he sold perhaps a dozen such books. There are two of the original scrapbooks in existence today. The largest scrapbook, 175 pages, is currently owned by the International Association of Master Penman, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting (IAMPETH). The other scrapbook is rarely seen and currently is maintained in the archives of the Newberry Library
in Chicago
, Illinois, and is available only through specified request of the curator of that part of the library. Its covers match the exact covers of the previous scrapbook owned by IAMPETH. The largest scrapbook was originally owned by a master penman, Warner C. Brownfield, (Kentucky
), and then given to Del Tysdal. Mr. Brownfield was the last student of Madarasz. In turn, Tysdal was the last student of Brownfield. In turn, Tate (below) received personalized instruction from Tysdal. The latter book was not seen by the general public for many years. The owner just prior to IAMPETH's acquisition of the largest scrapbook was Don Tate (Draper, Utah
) who owned it for more than a dozen years and sold it to IAMPETH. He was the last person to see the scrapbook at the Newberry Library to confirm its existence and the fact it was an original Madarasz scrapbook in behalf of the Newberry Library. Three of Madarasz's oblique pens are still in existence. One is owned by IAMPETH and two are owned by Tate.
. It was there that health problems began to plague the penman. After a severe bout with pneumonia
, Madarasz became diabetic and never regained his formally healthy physique. Quoting from The Secret of the Skill of Madarasz, a book published by the Zaner-Bloser Company in 1911 as a tribute to the great penman: "He passed away quietly on December 23, 1910, having on the day he was stricken written a Christmas greeting in that beautiful clean cut style of penmanship which has been copied by so many thousand aspirants during the past thirty years." At his request his body was cremated
. His ashes rest in the beautiful columbarium
at Fresh Pond
, Long Island
. "The urn of Louis Madarasz is oxidized and not easy to read, no less in a photo. epitaph reads: (top) Dum Taget Clarat, (middle) In Memory of a Brave & Gentle Man Louis Madarasz January 20, 1860 - December 23, 1910...He put his house in order His Work was Done, (bottom) Here Rests a Woodman of the World" Also in the niche behind Louis's urn is his wife Clara Kinstler and her husband Aaron A. Kinstler. The letter citing these facts is from the United States Columbarium, Fresh Pond Crematory 6140 Mount Olivet Crescent, Middle Village, NY 11379 dated February 9, 2010 addressed to Donald M. Tate 13528 S. Bella Monte Drive Draper, UT 84020. He is buried in Niche #1103 M.F.R. The last paragraph reads "I hope that this answers your questions and clears up some of the difference's in your correspondence." (Signed) James Wetterer.
These corrections have been provided by Donald M. Tate with original letter on February 13, 2010 and modify the information previously cited.
Contributor Don Tate, Draper, UT, 2008
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
calligrapher, born in San Antonio, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, regarded as one of the most highly skilled ornamental penmen of all time.
Early life
Madarasz obtained a copy of Gaskell's Compendium of Penmanship when he was in his teens. Studying the text by himself, he achieved a degree of skill in ornamental writing that was remarkable for one so young. Such self-discipline and persistence were instrumental in Madarasz's desire to master the art of penmanshipPenmanship
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....
.
In the late 1870s he enrolled as a student at the Rochester Business University in Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
. While attending this institution, his facility with the pen earned him a reputation throughout the state. During the years that followed, Madarasz took on penmanship positions at a number of institutions. His wanderings eventually led him to Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
, the location of Gaskell's penmanship school. Besides being an accomplished master penman, Gaskell was also a businessman who recognized advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
opportunities. Madarasz, whose fame as a penman was fairly widespread by this time, also recognized the opportunity to further his own skills by being associated with Gaskell. It was a good association for both men, and soon the famous signature of Madarasz appeared on the advertisements for Gaskell's Compendium. Madarasz stayed with Gaskell for several years, learning much about advertising and the business of mail order
Mail order
Mail order is a term which describes the buying of goods or services by mail delivery. The buyer places an order for the desired products with the merchant through some remote method such as through a telephone call or web site. Then, the products are delivered to the customer...
.
Professional career
As time went by, Madarasz again moved from one institution and town to another. He seemed to have a restless spirit in this regard, and seldom stayed anywhere longer than a few years. He worked in Sterling, IllinoisSterling, Illinois
Sterling is a city in Whiteside County, Illinois, United States. The population was 15,370 at the 2010 census, down from 15,451 at the 2000 census. Formerly nicknamed "The Hardware Capital of the World", Sterling has long been associated with manufacturing and the steel...
; Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
; and Poughkeepsie, New York
Poughkeepsie (city), New York
Poughkeepsie is a city in the state of New York, United States, which serves as the county seat of Dutchess County. Poughkeepsie is located in the Hudson River Valley midway between New York City and Albany...
. Regarding his social interests, he enjoyed chess and other board games, and was quite skilled at playing them. He also enjoyed the theater, not only as a spectator, but as an actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. He once studied under a professional thespian
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
and even had a part in a stage performance. This interest was, however, only temporary in the penman's life, and he soon went back to his love and profession of penmanship with greater zeal then ever before.
Over the years, Madarasz never tired of traveling, working and teaching. He had incredible energy to devote to penmanship, and the quality of his work never faltered. His speed of execution was reputed to be faster than any penman, before or since. His style was unique, a dramatic, rather heavily shaded variety of ornamental writing. It has been said that Madarasz's penmanship style was copied by more penmen than that of any other. In 1908-1909, Madarasz involved himself in a most ambitious project to earn money. He purchased large, new scrapbooks of two hundred pages each. He then filled each page of the books with his own penmanship. To do this he copied his own business letters, correspondence, writing lessons and display writing and pasted them, one by one, upon each page. He advertised them as the Madarasz Scrapbooks, and sold them for $45; $25 to be paid as a deposit, and then $5 per month on the balance. In all he sold perhaps a dozen such books. There are two of the original scrapbooks in existence today. The largest scrapbook, 175 pages, is currently owned by the International Association of Master Penman, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting (IAMPETH). The other scrapbook is rarely seen and currently is maintained in the archives of the Newberry Library
Newberry Library
The Newberry Library is a privately endowed, independent research library for the humanities and social sciences in Chicago, Illinois. Although it is private, non-circulating library, the Newberry Library is free and open to the public...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois, and is available only through specified request of the curator of that part of the library. Its covers match the exact covers of the previous scrapbook owned by IAMPETH. The largest scrapbook was originally owned by a master penman, Warner C. Brownfield, (Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
), and then given to Del Tysdal. Mr. Brownfield was the last student of Madarasz. In turn, Tysdal was the last student of Brownfield. In turn, Tate (below) received personalized instruction from Tysdal. The latter book was not seen by the general public for many years. The owner just prior to IAMPETH's acquisition of the largest scrapbook was Don Tate (Draper, Utah
Draper, Utah
Draper is a city in Salt Lake and Utah Counties in the U.S. state of Utah, located about south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front. Between 1990 and 2000 Draper was Utah's fastest-growing city over 5,000 people . Its population in 1990 was 7,143 and had grown to 25,220 by the 2000 census...
) who owned it for more than a dozen years and sold it to IAMPETH. He was the last person to see the scrapbook at the Newberry Library to confirm its existence and the fact it was an original Madarasz scrapbook in behalf of the Newberry Library. Three of Madarasz's oblique pens are still in existence. One is owned by IAMPETH and two are owned by Tate.
Later life
The last few years of Madarasz's life were spent in a business association in Goldfield, NevadaGoldfield, Nevada
Goldfield is an unincorporated community and the county seat of Esmeralda County, Nevada, United States, with a resident population of 440 at the 2000 census. It is located about southeast of Carson City, along U.S...
. It was there that health problems began to plague the penman. After a severe bout with pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
, Madarasz became diabetic and never regained his formally healthy physique. Quoting from The Secret of the Skill of Madarasz, a book published by the Zaner-Bloser Company in 1911 as a tribute to the great penman: "He passed away quietly on December 23, 1910, having on the day he was stricken written a Christmas greeting in that beautiful clean cut style of penmanship which has been copied by so many thousand aspirants during the past thirty years." At his request his body was cremated
Cremation
Cremation is the process of reducing bodies to basic chemical compounds such as gasses and bone fragments. This is accomplished through high-temperature burning, vaporization and oxidation....
. His ashes rest in the beautiful columbarium
Columbarium
A columbarium is a place for the respectful and usually public storage of cinerary urns . The term comes from the Latin columba and originally referred to compartmentalized housing for doves and pigeons .The Columbarium of Pomponius Hylas is a particularly fine ancient Roman example, rich in...
at Fresh Pond
Fresh Pond, Queens
Fresh Pond is a small neighborhood in Queens separated from Juniper Valley by the Lutheran and Mount Olivet cemeteries. Its main streets, Fresh Pond Road, Metropolitan Avenue, Eliot Avenue and 61st street, meet at the community's commercial center...
, Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
. "The urn of Louis Madarasz is oxidized and not easy to read, no less in a photo. epitaph reads: (top) Dum Taget Clarat, (middle) In Memory of a Brave & Gentle Man Louis Madarasz January 20, 1860 - December 23, 1910...He put his house in order His Work was Done, (bottom) Here Rests a Woodman of the World" Also in the niche behind Louis's urn is his wife Clara Kinstler and her husband Aaron A. Kinstler. The letter citing these facts is from the United States Columbarium, Fresh Pond Crematory 6140 Mount Olivet Crescent, Middle Village, NY 11379 dated February 9, 2010 addressed to Donald M. Tate 13528 S. Bella Monte Drive Draper, UT 84020. He is buried in Niche #1103 M.F.R. The last paragraph reads "I hope that this answers your questions and clears up some of the difference's in your correspondence." (Signed) James Wetterer.
These corrections have been provided by Donald M. Tate with original letter on February 13, 2010 and modify the information previously cited.
External links
- Biographical information, including illustrations of Madarasz's calligraphy.
Contributor Don Tate, Draper, UT, 2008
- The Madarasz Book: The Secret of the Skill of Madarasz, online reproduction