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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: brickman on Tuesday 28 May 24 21:04 BST (UK)

Title: Help decoding possible Gregg shorthand
Post by: brickman on Tuesday 28 May 24 21:04 BST (UK)
Hi,

I found this in an address book (mid 20th century) and I think it's Gregg shorthand - I believe the last collection of glyphs ("bTx") means address. I'm lost with the rest though. Can you help?

Thanks.
Title: Re: Help decoding possible Gregg shorthand
Post by: Pfig on Tuesday 28 May 24 22:53 BST (UK)
Hello, I studied Pitman 2000 in 1985-1986 and still use it today. 

I see "no grief more buoyant than the brief choice". 

Although difficult to be certain as Pitman strokes are written above, on and below the line and this has been written on an unlined page.  Others may see something different.
Title: Re: Help decoding possible Gregg shorthand
Post by: Pfig on Tuesday 28 May 24 22:57 BST (UK)
Sorry, forgot to add that, in Pitman 2000, the "x" at the end of the sentence is just the equivalent of a full stop.
Title: Re: Help decoding possible Gregg shorthand
Post by: hgs46 on Wednesday 29 May 24 00:35 BST (UK)
Might it be poignant rather than buoyant? Still thinking about it. I learned my Pitmans back in the 50s.
Title: Re: Help decoding possible Gregg shorthand
Post by: hgs46 on Wednesday 29 May 24 00:37 BST (UK)
And is the last word perhaps joyous?  … also, As I can’t spot ‘the’, how about the last 2 words being ‘bare choice’. Another suggestion for 2nd word might be ‘yes’.  Beginning to favour something like .. ‘No yes more poignant than per choice.’ 
Title: Re: Help decoding possible Gregg shorthand
Post by: gingernut1 on Wednesday 29 May 24 11:29 BST (UK)
Hi,   I studied and used Gregg for some years.  Its always difficult to transcribe other people's handwriting or shorthand but after looking at the sample here I don't think it is Gregg.   Unless it was a 'personal' shortcut Gregg didn't use a cross as a shortcut, they used a small left to right slant where a full stop would have been. 
Are there any Gregg writers out there with any other clues for or against?
Title: Re: Help decoding possible Gregg shorthand
Post by: BumbleB on Wednesday 29 May 24 12:00 BST (UK)
That is definitely Pitman shorthand.

Title: Re: Help decoding possible Gregg/Pitman shorthand
Post by: brickman on Wednesday 29 May 24 13:12 BST (UK)
I really appreciate all your efforts here. The suggestions are poetic, but baffling to me. This was written on the back page of an address book above a list of birthdays. No indication that there should be any deeper meaning in the text.