Two 19th Century "cross written" letters. Cross writing was a technique to save paper when paper was scarce. Every scrap mattered at one time (one of these is dated 1823) so the writer, upon reaching the end of the page, would turn the paper 90 degrees and add a second layer of text. Once it becomes familiar, the mind adapts easily and cross written letters are surprisingly legible. Charles Darwin famously used the technique.
Original Post from Dull Tool Dim Bulb the Daily Blog
Two Early 19th Century Cross Writing letters, Collection Jim Linderman
I absolutely LOVE this JIM. I learned something today, thanks to you.
ReplyDeleteNot that we need to go to this extent! but I really wish that every "SCRAP" mattered" to us, we really waste so much paper today!
ReplyDeleteThank you for showing us this Jim. How interesting.
I was following up from the Floris website, cross writing, and google searched examples, thanks for posting such a good example to read.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.florislondon.com/gbp/heritage/
issyvivi
The real reason for cross-writing was to save postage by keeping letters to one sheet of paper. Until December 1839 (in the UK at least) letters were expensive to post and were charged by the sheet.
ReplyDeleteEnglish writing had much more beauty back then. Comparable to the most intellectual languages.
ReplyDelete