The 18th Century Quill Pen
The 18th century saw monumental change to pens. Prior to then, most writing had been done on animal skins like parchment or vellum instead of paper made from wood pulp.
These pens were prohibitively costly to produce and required skill and practice to use properly.
Symbol of education
Quills, paper and ink have long been associated with education. Together they form the symbolism associated with literacy during the 18th century era; its representation can be found both literary works as well as visual depictions. Furthermore, this signifies women’s literacy that was also growing at this time.
Quill pens were an integral part of daily life for much of the 18th century, particularly in American colonies. Quills were made using geese primary flight feathers as materials, with an abundance of literature available that described their creation and usage.
Quill pens were an essential tool for people of the time, whether for writing letters or recording events in journals. As such, they became a key symbol of education. Unfortunately, quills weren’t cheap either as their production required careful cutting and considerable preparation.
Symbol of high social class
On artwork such as Joshua Reynolds’ Portrait of Dr John Ash, Arthur Devis’ Woman in Dark Blue or Joseph Highmore’s Mr B Finds Pamela Writing by Joshua Reynolds or Arthur Devis or Joseph Highmore’s Mr B Finds Pamela Writing, quill pens were often depicted as symbols of education and wealth. Additionally, their use signified the freedom to write what one desired without fear of repercussions from authorities.
Scholars and students at schools and universities often used quill pens for note taking and producing scholarly works, while clerics wrote their manuscripts with them too. Furthermore, wealthy people used quill pens as letter writing instruments.
Although some were able to purchase their pens, many others had to make them themselves due to quill pen requiring true knowledge for production. Experts wrote manuals detailing this process that were passed from generation to generation for proper care and use of quill pens.
Symbol of freedom
Quill pens were popular during the eighteenth century in England due to their long storage lifespan and ease of sharpening; made from bird wings crafted into quills made for writing purposes, quills provided fine lines and smooth appearance that was preferred over other writing instruments. Quills could even be stored for years until needed again for use!
Women authors in eighteenth-century literature often associated writing with freedom. By writing what might not have been possible to express verbally – including feelings and ideas related to sexuality – their pen became an effective means for self-reflection and reflection.
Students will construct a quill pen, inkwell and parchment journal from scratch. They will read eighteenth-century journals and letters that showcase language and spelling differences from modern handwriting as they read eighteenth-century journals and letters that compare accordingly. Copperplate and round-hand scripting practices will also be explored; several paintings depict women with these objects on sheets of paper such as Sir Joshua Reynolds’ Portrait of Dr John Ash, Portrait of a Woman in Dark Blue by Arthur Devis and Mr B Finds Pamela Writing by Joseph Highmore among many others.
Symbol of labour
As essential tools of communication in 18th-century society, quill pens were an integral component of everyday life – be it anonymous letters to Lord Byron or signing the Declaration of Independence. Reminiscent of early ballpoint pens like BIC ballpoints, 18th century quill pens required great patience and skill from their users; especially women. Women wrote letters frequently throughout this era; this practice became especially prevalent when literature depicted female characters writing to loved ones using this tool; portraits like Portrait of Dr John Ash by Joshua Reynolds or The Woman in Dark Blue by Arthur Devis or Pamela Writing by Joseph Highmore depicted this freedom through this medium alongside these paintings alongside these texts or painting depictions such as Portrait of Dr John Ash by Joshua Reynolds or The Woman in Dark Blue by Arthur Devis or Pamela Writing by Joseph Highmore depicted this freedom through art.
Feathers used in 18th-century writing pens were usually from geese. After being cleaned and boiled to ensure ink did not smudge, these feathers would then be hardened over a flame for maximum pen life; pen-cutting was an art passed down from generation to generation.
