Below is a photo of Clifford D. Mansley, Sr.,  at his drawing board, when he was in his eighties. Second generation.  (In time, I’ll post more). See my SHOP for some of his designs.

My Family Art & Calligraphy History….

It all started in Philadelphia, when my grandfather, Walter E. Mansley decided to become a school teacher. He taught handwriting, short-hand and business classes to high school students and he took correspondence courses with Earl Lupfer, then the Principal at the Zanerian College of Penmanship, Columbus Ohio. I still have a few of those old letters between Walter and Earl where they also discuss my fathers’ potential. In addition, my grandfather was a member of IAMPETH (International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers’ and Teachers of Handwriting. As a young girl, I loved looking at those old journals.) In 1944-45, my father, Clifford D. Mansley, Sr. was in the Navy, but when WWII ended, Dad traveled to the Zanerian College and studied with Lupfer 10 hours a day for 3 months. He became quite good at Engrossers’ Script, Old English and a few other styles. Then, he was accepted at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania so he left, but while commuting to Penn he met my mother. Dad was whistling a classical music piece on the trolley and my mother recognized it. That was their first connection. Jean was attending Moore College of Art, so that was yet another plus. (Later my mother would sometimes created the layout/illustration for Dad’s calligraphy work). Although my father was an executive for the Boy Scouts of America, through the years he worked as a freelancer for nearby Engrossing studios, particularly when we lived in New Jersey. During my Jr Hi and Sr Hi years, my bedroom was next to my Dad’s studio and I would stand over his shoulder and watch while he lettered and illuminated certificates, testimonials and resolutions. I was soaking in his skill!

While I was in Junior HS, my talented mother taught drawing classes for students, including me. This was very helpful! She had me creating all along the way.  Then, in my Senior year, at Chatham High School, NJ, I began practicing Engrossers’ Script and Old English. I sure wasn’t very good, but my Dad pushed me to take a few commissions, stating that when I went off to college, I could start up my own little calligraphy business from my dorm room. I did just that, lettering fraternity certificates and short quotes for fellow Miami U college students. Although I was an education major, I decided that I would like to stay home with my children and saw a calligraphy business as a way to keep my skills sharp, bring in some income, but remain flexible enough to raise my children. Perfect!  I count 1980 as the official start to my calligraphy studio. In the 1970’s there was a resurgence of calligraphy and I began studying with other accomplished calligraphers from around the US and Internationally. So there you have it, more to tell, but at least you have a little background.