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{{Short description|American English education company}}
{{Infobox company
{{More citations needed|date=October 2023}}{{Infobox company
| name = Zaner-Bloser, Inc.
| name = Zaner-Bloser, Inc.
| logo = File:ZB logo.svg
| logo = File:ZB logo.svg
| logo_size =
| logo_size =
| logo_alt =
| logo_alt =
| logo_caption =
| logo_caption =
| logo_padding =
| logo_padding =
| image =
| image =
| image_size =
| image_size =
| image_alt =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| image_caption =
| former_name = Zanerian College of Penmanship
| former_name = Zanerian Art College Co., Zaner & Bloser Co., Zaner-Bloser Co.
| type =
| type =
| industry =
| industry =
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| hq_location =
| hq_location =
| hq_location_city = [[Columbus, Ohio]]
| hq_location_city = [[Columbus, Ohio]]
| hq_location_country = USA
| hq_location_country = USA
| key_people =
| key_people =
| products =
| products =
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| services = Handwriting, reading, writing, spelling, and vocabulary programs
| services = Handwriting, reading, writing, spelling, and vocabulary programs
| parent = [[Highlights for Children]]
| parent = [[Highlights for Children]]
| website = {{URL|http://www.zaner-bloser.com}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.zaner-bloser.com}}
}}
}}
'''Zaner-Bloser''', Inc., headquartered in [[Columbus, Ohio]], publishes handwriting, reading, writing, spelling, and vocabulary programs.<ref>{{cite web|title=History|url=https://www.zaner-bloser.com/company/history.php|website=Zaner-Bloser|accessdate=23 January 2018}}</ref>
'''Zaner-Bloser''', Inc., is a company headquartered in [[Columbus, Ohio]], which publishes handwriting, reading, writing, spelling, and vocabulary programs.<ref name=":0" />


==History==
==History==


=== Zanerian College of Penmanship ===
=== Zanerian College of Penmanship ===
The Zanerian Art College Co. was founded in Columbus, Ohio by [[Charles Paxton Zaner]] in 1888. Zaner’s education in the pen arts and enthusiasm for teaching inspired him to open a school that would prepare students to write, draw, and teach in the penmanship industry.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Zaner |first=Charles |date=April 1895 |title=Why Attend The Zanerian? |url=https://archive.org/details/zanerianexponent14zane/page/n17/mode/2up |journal=The Zanerian Exponent |volume=1 |pages=14 |via=Archive.org}}</ref>
⚫
[[Image:Zanerian College of Penmanship.jpg|thumb|right|Zanerian College of Penmanship]]
Founded by Master Penman [[Charles Paxton Zaner]], the company’s history can be traced back to 1888 when it was known as the Zanerian College of Penmanship. Zaner was able to streamline the [[Spencerian script]] method—which was widely used in the 19th century—by adapting a [[handwriting]] approach that was more practicable for modern business documents and personal communication.<ref>[https://books.google.ca/books?id=c7CRrquqifEC&pg=PT242 Zaner-Bloser Script]</ref> Zaner’s enthusiasm about this utilitarian art inspired him to open a school that would prepare students for successful careers in the penmanship industry.<ref name="Zaner-Bloser company history">{{cite web|title=Zaner-Bloser company history|url=https://www.zaner-bloser.com/our-history-zaner-bloser|work=Zaner-Bloser company history|accessdate=12 July 2016}}</ref>


The Zanerian Art College offered both Diploma courses aimed at producing professional penmanship teachers as well as Certificate courses aimed at producing pen art specialists.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Zaner |first=Charles |date=April 1895 |title=Diploma Courses |url=https://archive.org/details/zanerianexponent14zane/page/n15/mode/2up |journal=The Zanerian Exponent |volume=1 |pages=12 |via=Archive.org}}</ref> The graduates of these programs often continued on to be influential American penmen in their own right, granting the Zanerian a reputation for excellence. Notable students of the Zanerian Art College have included the likes of E. A. Lupfer, W. A. Baird, C. W. Norder, and other well-known American penmen.
In 1891, Zaner sold shares of the Zanerian College of Penmanship to another skilled penman, Elmer Ward Bloser (forming the partnership that later created the Zaner-Bloser Company). While most [[penmanship]] schools at the time focused on training students for careers in ornamental writing, the Zanerian College emphasized the importance of an eclectic education by teaching psychology, physiology, and English composition.<ref name="Zaner-Bloser company history" />


=== A leading voice in American penmanship ===
⚫
=== Formation ===
⚫
[[File:Zanerian building.jpg|thumb|The Zanerian College]]
In 1895, the Zanerian College of Penmanship became known as the Zaner-Bloser Company, which continued to offer penmanship courses and began publishing professional materials about handwriting and illustration and selling handwriting supplies.<ref name="IAMPETH Zanerian College:Historical Beginnings of the Zaner-Bloser Company">{{cite web|title=IAMPETH Zanerian College|url=http://www.iampeth.com/zanerian_college.php|work=Historical Beginnings of the Zaner-Bloser Company|accessdate=2013-05-17}}</ref> The Zaner & Bloser Company published ''The Zaner Method of Arm Movement Writing'' in 1904, making the simplified Zanerian writing style more readily accessible to children in elementary schools all over the United States.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Arm Movement Method of Rapid Writing|url=https://www.iampeth.com/pdf/arm-movement-method-rapid-writing|website=IAMPETH|accessdate=23 January 2018}}</ref>
After building a reputation as an institution where students could specialize in various branches of pen art, the Zanerian Art College established itself as a leading voice in American penmanship by the early-20th century through the development of its own distinctive [[Zaner-Bloser (teaching script)|teaching script]] and the publication of quarterly, bi-monthly, then monthly periodicals pertaining to the penmanship industry.


[[iarchive:zanerianexponent14zane/page/n3/mode/2up|''The Zanerian Exponent'']] (1895), an industry journal containing endorsements from previous students, specimens of penmanship, lessons in writing, and industry news, would become [[iarchive:zanerianexponent14zane/page/n131/mode/2up|''The Penman and Artist'']] (1887), [[iarchive:penmanartistbusi68zane/page/n3/mode/2up|''The Penman-Artist and Business Educator'']] (1900), [[iarchive:businesseducator08zane/page/n7/mode/2up|''The Business Educator'']] (1902), and [[iarchive:educator38zane/page/n3/mode/2up|''The Educator'']] (1932).
⚫
In 1972, Zaner-Bloser, Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary of [[Highlights for Children]].<ref name="Zaner-Bloser company history" />

=== Name Changes ===

* In 1891, Zaner's former classmate and friend Elmer W. Bloser purchased an interest in the company. By 1896, works bear the name "Zaner & Bloser Company".
* In 1921, the ampersand was replaced with a hyphen resulting in "Zaner-Bloser Co."

⚫
=== Acquisition ===
⚫
In 1972, Zaner-Bloser, Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary of [[Highlights for Children]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.zaner-bloser.com/company/history.php |access-date=4 March 2022 |website=Zaner-Bloser}}</ref>


== Contributors ==
== Contributors ==


===Charles Paxton Zaner===
===Charles Paxton Zaner===
{{Main|Charles Paxton Zaner}}
[[Image:CP Zaner.jpg|thumb|right|Charles Paxton Zaner]]
[[Image:CP Zaner.jpg|thumb|right|Charles Paxton Zaner]]
Charles Paxton Zaner, born near Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania in 1864, began showing a fondness for handwriting early in his youth. In 1882, he enrolled in G. W. Michael's Pen Art Hall in Oberlin, Ohio. After graduation, Zaner worked as a penman at two different business colleges before deciding to open his own school in 1888—the Zanerian College of Penmanship.<ref name="Zaner-Bloser company history" />
[[Charles Paxton Zaner]] (1864–1918) was born on a farm near [[Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania]]. After showing a fondness for penmanship in his youth, Zaner enrolled in G. W. Michael's National Pen Art Hall and Business College in [[Oberlin, Ohio]] in 1883 to pursue an education in penmanship. He then taught penmanship in both [[Delaware, Ohio]] and [[Columbus, Ohio]] for several years before opening The Zanerian College in 1888.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bloser |first=Elmer |title=Tributes to C. P. Zaner |url=https://archive.org/details/businesseducator24zane/page/n227/mode/2up |journal=The Business Educator |volume=24 |pages=15 |via=Archive.org}}</ref>


In 1889, fellow Master Penman Lloyd Kelchner became a partner with Zaner and two years later, Elmer Ward Bloser—another skilled penman—joined the partnership. That same year, Kelchner left the business arrangement, leading Zaner and Bloser to become equal partners in what had then become the Zaner-Bloser Company.<ref name="Zaner-Bloser company history" />
In 1889, fellow penman Lloyd Kelchner became a partner with Zaner. Two years later, Elmer Ward Bloser—a former classmate and fellow penman—joined the partnership. That same year, Kelchner left the business arrangement, leading Zaner and Bloser to become equal partners in what had then become the Zaner & Bloser Company.

Zaner built a reputation for himself as a Master Penman. He maximized his exposure and recognition in the industry with monthly magazines that included countless lessons in penmanship and pen art, for which he enlisted the help of other industry experts. This, as well as numerous other endeavors, established Zaner as a pivotal figure in what is called the "Golden Age of Ornamental Penmanship".<ref name="Zaner-Bloser company history" />


===Elmer Ward Bloser===
===Elmer Ward Bloser===
Elmer Ward Bloser was born in 1865 and raised on his parents’ farm in Pennsylvania. His interest in writing was apparent even as a child, when he sold writing inks and supplies to neighborhood children. In 1883, Bloser began attending G.W. Michael’s Pen Art Hall, where his writing acumen eventually earned him a position as penmanship instructor.<ref name="Zanerian">{{cite web|title=Charles Paxton Zaner|url=http://www.zanerian.com/Zaner.html|work=Zanerian|accessdate=2013-05-17}}</ref>
Elmer Ward Bloser (1865–1929) was raised on his parents’ farm in Pennsylvania. His interest in writing was apparent even as a child, when he sold writing inks and supplies to neighborhood children. In 1883, Bloser began attending G.W. Michael’s Pen Art Hall, where his writing acumen eventually earned him a position as penmanship instructor.

⚫
Bloser’s penmanship career advanced with such success that he was considered one of the finest in the industry. In 1891, he purchased shares of the Zanerian Art College Co., which later became the Zaner-Bloser Company. After Charles Paxton Zaner's untimely death in 1918, Bloser purchased the company’s remaining shares, and continued to manage Zaner-Bloser’s successful operation until his own death in 1929.


==See also==
⚫
Bloser’s penmanship career advanced with such success that he was considered one of the finest in the industry. In 1891, he purchased shares of the Zanerian College of Penmanship, which later became the Zaner-Bloser Company. After Charles Paxton Zaner's untimely death in 1918, Bloser purchased the company’s remaining shares and continued to manage Zaner-Bloser’s successful operation until his own death in 1929.<ref name="Zanerian"/>
*[[Zaner-Bloser (teaching script)]]
*[[Penmanship]]
*[[Handwriting]]


==External links==
==External links==
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[[Category:Penmanship]]
[[Category:Penmanship]]
[[Category:Latin-script calligraphy]]
[[Category:Training companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Training companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Companies based in the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Companies based in the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Publishing companies established in 1888]]
[[Category:Publishing companies established in 1888]]
[[Category:Western calligraphy]]
[[Category:1888 establishments in Ohio]]
[[Category:1888 establishments in Ohio]]

Latest revision as of 01:39, 9 June 2024

Zaner-Bloser, Inc.
FormerlyZanerian Art College Co., Zaner & Bloser Co., Zaner-Bloser Co.
Founded1888 (1888)
FounderCharles Paxton Zaner
Headquarters
Columbus, Ohio
,
USA
ServicesHandwriting, reading, writing, spelling, and vocabulary programs
ParentHighlights for Children
Websitewww.zaner-bloser.com

Zaner-Bloser, Inc., is a company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, which publishes handwriting, reading, writing, spelling, and vocabulary programs.[1]

History

[edit]

Zanerian College of Penmanship

[edit]

The Zanerian Art College Co. was founded in Columbus, Ohio by Charles Paxton Zaner in 1888. Zaner’s education in the pen arts and enthusiasm for teaching inspired him to open a school that would prepare students to write, draw, and teach in the penmanship industry.[2]

The Zanerian Art College offered both Diploma courses aimed at producing professional penmanship teachers as well as Certificate courses aimed at producing pen art specialists.[3] The graduates of these programs often continued on to be influential American penmen in their own right, granting the Zanerian a reputation for excellence. Notable students of the Zanerian Art College have included the likes of E. A. Lupfer, W. A. Baird, C. W. Norder, and other well-known American penmen.

A leading voice in American penmanship

[edit]
The Zanerian College

After building a reputation as an institution where students could specialize in various branches of pen art, the Zanerian Art College established itself as a leading voice in American penmanship by the early-20th century through the development of its own distinctive teaching script and the publication of quarterly, bi-monthly, then monthly periodicals pertaining to the penmanship industry.

The Zanerian Exponent (1895), an industry journal containing endorsements from previous students, specimens of penmanship, lessons in writing, and industry news, would become The Penman and Artist (1887), The Penman-Artist and Business Educator (1900), The Business Educator (1902), and The Educator (1932).

Name Changes

[edit]
  • In 1891, Zaner's former classmate and friend Elmer W. Bloser purchased an interest in the company. By 1896, works bear the name "Zaner & Bloser Company".
  • In 1921, the ampersand was replaced with a hyphen resulting in "Zaner-Bloser Co."

Acquisition

[edit]

In 1972, Zaner-Bloser, Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary of Highlights for Children.[1]

Contributors

[edit]

Charles Paxton Zaner

[edit]
Charles Paxton Zaner

Charles Paxton Zaner (1864–1918) was born on a farm near Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. After showing a fondness for penmanship in his youth, Zaner enrolled in G. W. Michael's National Pen Art Hall and Business College in Oberlin, Ohio in 1883 to pursue an education in penmanship. He then taught penmanship in both Delaware, Ohio and Columbus, Ohio for several years before opening The Zanerian College in 1888.[4]

In 1889, fellow penman Lloyd Kelchner became a partner with Zaner. Two years later, Elmer Ward Bloser—a former classmate and fellow penman—joined the partnership. That same year, Kelchner left the business arrangement, leading Zaner and Bloser to become equal partners in what had then become the Zaner & Bloser Company.

Elmer Ward Bloser

[edit]

Elmer Ward Bloser (1865–1929) was raised on his parents’ farm in Pennsylvania. His interest in writing was apparent even as a child, when he sold writing inks and supplies to neighborhood children. In 1883, Bloser began attending G.W. Michael’s Pen Art Hall, where his writing acumen eventually earned him a position as penmanship instructor.

Bloser’s penmanship career advanced with such success that he was considered one of the finest in the industry. In 1891, he purchased shares of the Zanerian Art College Co., which later became the Zaner-Bloser Company. After Charles Paxton Zaner's untimely death in 1918, Bloser purchased the company’s remaining shares, and continued to manage Zaner-Bloser’s successful operation until his own death in 1929.

See also

[edit]
[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "History". Zaner-Bloser. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  2. ^ Zaner, Charles (April 1895). "Why Attend The Zanerian?". The Zanerian Exponent. 1: 14 – via Archive.org.
  3. ^ Zaner, Charles (April 1895). "Diploma Courses". The Zanerian Exponent. 1: 12 – via Archive.org.
  4. ^ Bloser, Elmer. "Tributes to C. P. Zaner". The Business Educator. 24: 15 – via Archive.org.
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