Historical Postcard translation - 2008/11/21 19:39
I'm working on a historical postcard exhibition and one of our postcards has some type of shorthand as the message. I was wondering if anyone could translate it? I don't know what type of shorthand it might be written in but I've been told it's probably Pitman.
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pounderd
Junior User
Re:Historical Postcard translation - 2008/12/02 21:16
It's Pitman, but an old form of Pitman. I'll have a look if I can find where I put my Centenary Edition textbook, but I haven't seen it for a while.
HSLB wrote: I'm working on a historical postcard exhibition and one of our postcards has some type of shorthand as the message. I was wondering if anyone could translate it? I don't know what type of shorthand it might be written in but I've been told it's probably Pitman.
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Platterbaff
Junior User
Re:Historical Postcard translation - 2008/12/11 12:33
The card is in “Benn Pitman” shorthand. This is a version sold in the USA by Isaac Pitman’s brother Benn after he revolted against Isaac’s continual “improvement” of his system. As a Brit I find it a bit difficult, but I think the card reads:-
Route. 1 Box 358 Long Beach Cal 7.27.09 We are still visiting here; will be here for two or three weeks ???. We have been to Los Angeles Pasadena the Wheatery?. The summer climate here is ideal. Very seldom is it hot but frequently cloudy until noon. As from thy cousin. Geoff? Martyr?
I can’t figure out the word I have put as ???. It probably has an n and a t. It could be 'another' or 'nature', but they hardly fit.
I have put a question mark after 'Wheatery' because it seems an odd name. Perhaps someone who knows Pasadena can say if there was something with a name like that to visit in 1909. The writer's name at the end also seems unconvincing to me but Geoff Martyr is all I can make it to be. “Summer” is a bit dubious too.
The lines in the transcription match those on the card.
Of course, if an American reader can give a better transcription I will gladly defer to them. And I would be grateful if anyone can point out any mistakes I have made. Perhaps you could invite visitors to your exhibition to fill in the gaps.
PLATTERBAFF
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Platterbaff
Junior User
Re:Historical Postcard translation - 2008/12/22 20:22
An afterthought on the above transcription. On re-reading the card it is pretty clear the little curve at the end of the fourth line (which I put as ???) is “yet”. And, "yet" seems to fit the sentence.
Benn Pitman used a tiny semi-circle as an arbitrary sign for “yet” long after Isaac had “improved” it into something else. The writer has been very slightly sloppy and made the sign a little too wide - hence my my confusing it with a curve representing “n” and “t”.
Sorry I didn’t get it first time.
PLATTERBAFF
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Joolieb1
Junior User
Re:Historical Postcard translation - 2008/12/28 11:56
I am amazed at how much shorthand knowledge there is out there. It seems many people have used shorthand to write private messages between shorthanders - there are fewer shorthanders around nowadays.
I think the art form should be revived.
I learnt it 20 years ago and I am now picking it up again.
Thanks for the site - interesting reading.
Julie B I learnt Pitman 2000 about 20 years ago and have refreshed my skills a couple of times. Doing it now just for relaxation and fun (am I sad or what). Stumbled across this site and want to get to know others who are short-handers!
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