Update May 2008 A number of copybook models and handwriting samples have been added to the database. Others are still to follow. PLEASE NOTE: The database is now password protected. Registered ENFHEX members can access the database via the restricted Handwriting site.
Update June 2007 New copybook models have been collected from several South-American and African countries. These will be added to the database as soon as possible.
Database accessible via the internet Thanks to a grant from the ENFSI Board, the database of copybook models is accessible via the internet since December 2005. Registered members can access the database via the Working Groups portal site (click "Handwriting" in the box at the right hand side). Others interested in the database may send a request to the ENFHEX webeditor by filling out the contact form, stating your interest in the database of copybook models. 
History To bring together and make available databases of handwriting samples and copybook models used in various countries in different periods was one of the objectives of the EU funded ENFHEX project 1998-2002. A computer programme, called IHIS (International Handwriting Information System) was developed by the NFI to access digitised images of handwriting samples and copybook styles in a user-friendly and logically structured way. This programme uses HTML programming techniques, so that the images can be retrieved and examined by means of a browser, like Netscape or Microsoft Explorer. In the first year of the project, the NFI digitised its (paper) collection of copybook styles and handwriting samples from several countries and stored it in IHIS. The BKA provided digitised images of all copybook models in their collection, which were incorporated into the IHIS collection as well. During the following years new or missing copybook models were submitted by the other participants in the project and added to the database by the NFI. In 2001 contact was made with Dr Rosemary Sassoon in England, a leading expert in teaching handwriting who has done a lot of work on the effects of models and teaching methods on children's handwriting, resulting in several publications. Dr Sassoon has brought together a large collection of copybook samples (most of them, but not all, from English speaking countries). She offered to make her collection available for the ENFHEX database. Two NFI colleagues visited Dr Sassoon in April 2002. They helped her check her collection for information missing in the present database and made digital photographs of the relevant copybooks (with priority given to Latin script copybooks after 1920). Initially a CD with the copybooks and handwritings database plus the IHIS application for the disclosure of the images was sent to all participants in the project. After some technical problems have been solved, the database is now accessible via the ENFHEX website. Regular updates will be made. 
NFI handwriting expert Cees ten Camp visiting Dr Sassoon to collect copybook models for IHIS
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