The Gregg Group was founded 22 May 2004, prompted by the lack of online shorthand resources. As the primary use for shorthand — business and legal recording — has waned in recent decades, we generally acclaim the skill as a hobby or personal tool. The purpose of the group is to promote the use of Gregg systems of shorthand by providing advice to beginners, support for students, and an association of users of this efficient, attractive, and enjoyable method of writing.
This postcard written in Gregg in 1906 is up for bids on eBay. Can you transcribe it? Click on the images for a full view.
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I could read some of it. Those reverse circles throw me a bit! But this is a great way to send a postcard and keep it more private!
I can read most of it, but there are a few bits which I may have read wrongly (bold bits indicate what I'm not sure about):
Dear Bessie: How is your health? Mine is as fine as can be. I suppose you think I am a nice one for not writing to you sooner but did not have the time. Was kept busy working and teaching music I have since I left school. Send me a souvenir postcard from your home in return. I have a nice collection and want a few more to fill my book. Hope to receive the card [illegible] Mabel Ziegler
Can anybody get the rest?
I just realised it should be "Was kept busy working and teaching music ever since"
Very good!
If anyone can transcribe the outline before "Mabel Ziegler", the one you marked [illegible], I'll be very impressed.
I believe the closing words are "Hope to receive the card. Always your friend, Mabel Zeigler."
This was great fun! Always wished for a pen pal in shorthand.
The very last outline at the bottom left is "address" followed in longhand by her Name and Riegelsville, Pa. Probably that was all that was needed in 1906, as its population was only 868 at the 2010 census.
Interesting. And the population hasn't increased much since the 1920s.
Not quite "always your friend", but getting close!
According to the phrase manual that outline means "hoping to receive." And I do think the rest says "always your friend, Mabel…" as you noted.
Just saw that Carlos said that was not "always your friend." So….still trying to figure it out!
"I will be your friend" ?
No, it's not that.
I think it's "I remain your friend."
“Hoping to receive the card, I remain
Your friend,
Mabel Ziegler”
Thanks! And why didn't I think of that! lol
Letters in those days had very nice closings. "I remain" was one of the most popular, and it was written in Gregg as "reverse a-men blend", with the rest of the closing joined to "I remain" when possible ("Your friend", "Yours truly", "Sincerely yours", etc.). That created a long and distinctive outline that could be written (and transcribed) very quickly. The use of "I remain" and other forms of formal communication started to disappear in English business correspondence in the early 20th century. By the time the Anniversary manual was written, those elaborate closings were not even taught. All that remained from that era were the shorter forms such as "Sincerely yours", "Yours truly", etc.
Thank you for the charming postcard. Those lovely, old-fashioned phrases are, to me, part of the appeal of Pre-Anni.