Embedded Files
This page lists shorthand manuals from over a hundred years ago that are not likely to be used in modern times. The intention is to preserve them for posterity.
Many of these manuals may have great shorthand methods, and if you discover something you think is worthy of learning and sharing with others, let me know and I'll put it on the 'Shorthands' page with the other more frequently used materials.
Some of the pdfs here may be modern but have defects that make them less valuable for study.
Notes will be inserted next to some manuals briefly describing their different features.
All English and foreign language manuals are listed by the creator's name.
If you have manuals to contribute, notice any mistakes,
or have any difficulties downloading materials,
please write me at sean@stenophile.com and let me know.
A through M
A through M
Artis
A Short Hand Dictionary and Stenographical Copy Book (1845) There's a manual to this dictionary that couldn't be found on the net.
Artis
A Short Hand Dictionary and Stenographical Copy Book (1845) There's a manual to this dictionary that couldn't be found on the net.
Atkins
Velocigraph (1898) Credit for the scan goes to the Senate House Library, University of London, classmark [C.S.C.] 294
Atkins
Velocigraph (1898) Credit for the scan goes to the Senate House Library, University of London, classmark [C.S.C.] 294
Beck
The Universal Character (1657) Not so much a shorthand system as a universal language based on grammar
The Universal Character Retyped by fiction author Andy Drummond as research for a book, most likely The Hand-Book of Volapük, which you can read about here.
Beck
The Universal Character (1657) Not so much a shorthand system as a universal language based on grammar
The Universal Character Retyped by fiction author Andy Drummond as research for a book, most likely The Hand-Book of Volapük, which you can read about here.
Bingham
A System of Shorthand on the Principle of the Association of Ideas (1821) (improperly scanned charts)
Bingham
A System of Shorthand on the Principle of the Association of Ideas (1821) (improperly scanned charts)
Call
Shorthand for General Use (1911) simple, interesting-looking shorthand system
Fauvel-Gouraud
Practical Cosmophonography (1850) A System of Writing and Printing all the Principal Languages, with their Exact Pronunciation, by Means of an Original Universal Phonetic Alphabet
Fauvel-Gouraud
Practical Cosmophonography (1850) A System of Writing and Printing all the Principal Languages, with their Exact Pronunciation, by Means of an Original Universal Phonetic Alphabet
Graves and Ashton
The Whole Art of Tachygraphy (1775)
The Whole Art of Tachygraphy (1775)
Both copies have defects, but using both cancel out some of their problems.
Graves and Ashton
The Whole Art of Tachygraphy (1775)
The Whole Art of Tachygraphy (1775)
Both copies have defects, but using both cancel out some of their problems.
Guest
The Manual of Compendious Shorthand (1883) the chart at the beginning and some other pages were badly scanned
Guest
The Manual of Compendious Shorthand (1883) the chart at the beginning and some other pages were badly scanned
N through Z
N through Z
Perkins
Perkins Cryptography or the Most Concise System of Shorthand (1834) It's more of a cypher system, though the author promises the system could be used to take notes in court.
Perkins
Perkins Cryptography or the Most Concise System of Shorthand (1834) It's more of a cypher system, though the author promises the system could be used to take notes in court.
Rochfort
A Treatise Upon Arcanography or a New Method of Secret Writing (1836) No shorthand here, just a system of cryptography writing.
Rochfort
A Treatise Upon Arcanography or a New Method of Secret Writing (1836) No shorthand here, just a system of cryptography writing.
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