7.10 CAPITAL LETTERS

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The study of capital letters is highly revealing in itself, with many interesting facets. It is modified by the fact that many persons use some accepted style of penmanship with their capital letters, so they often show the results of training rather than personality where types of capitals are concerned.

Thus a person trained to use old-fashioned capitals might continue with them, even though he had a trend toward something more ornate. However, after making due allowance for that, you will often find that some deep trait will creep into the simplest or most stylized of capital letters.

Keeping this in mind, capital letters can be considered in the following categories:

SIMPLE OR OLD-STYLED CAPITALS:

These represent a well-developed mind, willing to accept the tried and true; a practical, reliable disposition.

PRINTED CAPITALS: A sign of artistry often representing skill. If rather rapidly formed, they show a mechanical or scientific trend.

GRACEFUL CAPITALS:

A more modern trend, getting away from the more simple style, showing interest in new ideas and a desire for personal advancement.

ORNATE CAPITALS:

Too much elaboration, showing pride in small things and a feeling of self importance. Sometimes an indication of an inferiority complex.

SMALL-SIZED CAPITALS:

Not much larger than the small letters that follow, show a modest, often self-effacing nature that should crawl from its shell. The smaller the capitals in proportion, the more pronounced those traits.

LARGE-SIZED CAPITALS:

More than twice the height of the small letters, are a symbol of vanity, coupled with a boastful, sometimes overbearing nature. The bigger the capitals in proportion, the more evident those points.

A capital by itself shows an independent, yet helpful and wholehearted nature. This, however, is Subject to certain modifications; namely:

If the capital is carried or extended over and above some of the following letters, it signifies self-sufficiency, with a lack of the usual sympathy toward others.

If the capital includes a sweeping stroke beneath the following letters, it indicates false pride.

Capitals of different types show a highly adaptable disposition, usually carefree and likable, especially when the same letter differs. Ibis indicates a mingling of Gaits.

Certain capital letters carry a special significance of their Own Here are some examples:

AN “A” BEGINNING WITH A HOOK shows a grasping disposition which is accentuated if the letter also ends in a hook.

A “D” ENDING WITH A HOOK AT THE UPPER LEFT is a sign of a critical but not unfriendly nature.

A WIDE “H” shows a strong, decisive nature; as it narrows denotes a retiring individual, doubtful of his ability.

THE LETTER “M” shows independence if its first stroke is higher than the others; too high, self-grandeur.

AN “M” WITH ALL STROKES THE SAME HEIGHT shows an urge for culture rather than ambition.

AN “M” WITH STROKES DESCENDING LIKE STEPS going down to the level of pessimism.

AN “M” WITH ASCENDING STEPS TO A HIGH FINAL STROKE signifies ambition, but seldom of a very high order.

AN “M” WITH ONLY TWO DOWN-STROKES shows an obstinate disposition that often results in failure.

AN “M” BEGIN WITH A HOOK is grasping as with “A,” and also boastful if the “M” ends with a hook.

THE CAPITAL “N” shows similar characteristics to “M,” particularly an “N” of the hooked variety.

A WIDESPREAD “M” OR “N” denotes a kindly but extravagant disposition; when very narrow, a person too cautious to risk anything. This applies to all styles of capitals.