This is an unusual writing for many reasons: the tall rigid letters, the high degree of tension, the strong control over the forms, the uniformity of the angular letters, the thick pen stroke, and the domination of the space. These are just some of the elements that stand out. The letters are Connected, the movement is Static and the Layout is Compact (I apologise to non-graphologists for using graphology jargon).

If there is one graphological 'sign' that seems to sum of all these elements, I would choose 'Systemised', which is defined as "Letters are forced into a uniform shape, as if cast in the same mould" (International Manual of Graphology, IGC Books 2013).

With the following combination of graphological signs (Large, Closed, Artificial, Tension 5, Stiff Slant), the interpretation is:
"A barricade arising from a survival instinct to hide severe apprehension, or anger.  Over-compensation of an inferiority complex... Courage coupled with dictatorial, intransigent and prejudiced attitudes.  Projection of unaccepted criticism and blame onto others - 'I'm right, you're wrong.' "  (International Manual of Graphology, IGC Books 2013)

Other points to note include the strong control over the space, an orderly layout, and i-dots are carefully placed.  The  attributes that spring to mind include attention to detail, order, and control over one's environment.

Would you want your political leader to have this type of writing?

Karl Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist who is credited with founding analytical psychology.  Graphology in fact uses many of Jung's theories, as exemplified in the classic graphology book by Ania Teillard 'The Soul And Handwriting'.

In the above image from a letter written when he was 37 years old, one can see a driven energy that seems impatient to express itself.  There is a strong intellect too, which one can see from its quick letter connections and rhythmic use of space.  There is scant effort to slow down the writing and to restrain itself.  Intense emotions and ideas dominate.
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A new biography by Catrine Clay 'Labyrinths' (2016) gives some fascinating facts about Jung the man and his relationships. His was apparently plagued by anxiety and fly into sudden rages.  He would behave like a spoilt child at mealtimes, flicking peas across the table.  Despite this, both patients and students regularly fell in love with him.  In contrast, his wife emerges as a model of restraint.  Her contribution to his life and in the development psychology is acknowledged at last last in this book.

The above image is from a letter written by Hemingway in 1961, three months before his suicide.  

The writing seems smaller than previous samples, with a middle-zone lacking his trademark strength and confidence.  The signature is also striking.  Both the christian name and surname have reverse crossings out.  Usually, Hemingway starts his signature crossings-out from the 'H' in reverse direction, crosses the 't' and ends through the Greek 'E' of his christian name.  In this case, the one long line becomes two.  Crossings-out in a signature are symbolic of self-destruction (but this is just one sign and should not be taken out of context to infer meaning on its own).  The spacing seems pretty good though, pointing to clarity of thought, despite the unsteady progression of the script.

When this letter was written, Hemingway's physical and mental health had been in slow decline, following a series of terrible accidents, including two plane crashes on the same day in 1954.  As a result, he lost all kidney function, leading to high blood pressure.  This necessitated the use of medical drugs which lead to the side effect of depression.  In 1960, he started to undergo a series of electro-shock treatments over the course of the next year or so.  This destroyed his memory, leading to further despair.  He would beg his wife on his knees not to send him back for more treatment.  

Hemingway committed suicide on July 2 1961 at his home in Idaho, a day after his 36th shock treatment.  There has been five suicides in the Hemingway family over four generations, including two of Hemingway's siblings.  A tragic end to the life of one of the 20th Century's great novelists.

In 2012, the JFK Library in Boston released letters from the estate of Ernest Hemingway.  Among them was correspondence between him and his friend Gianfranco Ivancich, who he had met in Venice in 1949.  Some of the letters were written when he was 54 years sold, seven years before his suicide.  One refers to his sadness at needing to put down his cat after it was hit by a car.
What is striking for me is that his writing does not reflect the macho, virile public image that Hemingway is famous for.  
The sample below was written when he was 27 years' old.  There are curves, round vowels and a warm pencil stroke.  There are many feminine qualities in his handwriting than male.  The writing shows enthusiasm, joviality, receptivity, an enjoyment of life, and a confidence 'in his own skin'.

My 5 year old son loved this pop song from a few years' ago and tried to write down some of the lyrics.  Can you name the song?

My seven-year old daughter decided to write her own contribution to the bird-watching shelter's log book (see bottom of the page).   :-)

The handwriting itself is shaky, jerky, and struggling for legibility.  This type of writing often points to an unsettled psychological state or agitation, and some emotional neediness.  It is not a calm, self-assured writing.  On the positive side, the writing is unpretentious, shows a natural affinity with people and an friendly, outgoing nature.

It would be unwise to say too much more about the handwriting, due to the probable influence of drugs at the time, and the possibility that it was written on an unstable writing surface on an aeroplane. This may account for some of the shakiness of the pen stroke.

My feelings about the writing are tinged with sadness. Elvis was desperate for official recognition and status, despite his long established worldwide fame and adulation. His own problems with drug addiction did not dampen his ambition to be appointed a Federal Agent.  President Nixon duly gave him his wish at the end of the visit.  

It must have been quite a clash of personalities: The leader of the world's biggest superpower and one of the most charismatic, flamboyant entertainers of the era.  It sounds like an entertaining movie!

Source: (Ollie Atkins / Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum)

A new movie released in the UK on 24 June tells the story of the unscheduled visit of Elvis Presley to the White House.

The meeting was sparked by a famous letter that Elvis wrote to the President Nixon, which he hand-delivered to the White House on at 6.30 a.m. on December 21st 1970, having taken a night flight from Los Angeles.

What did the letter say and did the handwriting reveal anything about the writer's personality?

This is my first blog, which I am excited about.  In my blogs, I hope to cover topics and issues to do with handwriting in general, letters and what the handwriting says about the writer, and fun things that I come across to do with handwriting.

Just to clarify for legal purposes: the images I use in this blog are either my own or if copyrighted, used within the context of Fair Use (i.e. used for the purpose of comment, education, criticism, scholarship and research, for the public good).  I also tend to use only a portion of any images I find online.

​To return to a lighter tone, here are images from my six-year old's fair hand: