Incoming correspondence, clippings, and calligraphic works documenting Ruth Justus’s teaching and work, primarily between 1958-1961. Letters from 1958-1959 are mostly replying to gifts of the book “This is Minnesota” with poetry by Betty Bridgman and handwritten by Ruth Justus. Letters from calligraphers often remark on Justus’s technique and design. The bulk of correspondence from 1961-1962 relates to the Oct. 1961 Minneapolis Sunday Tribune article featuring Justus titled “They Seek to Revive Lost art of Handwriting.” The letters are from readers inquiring about learning calligraphy and where to purchase relevant books and pens.

Correspondence shows the rise of United States interest in italic script in the late 1950s to the early 1960s, prior to a wide-spread national interest in the late 1960s and early 1970s. There are several significant letters by Raymond DaBoll, Fred Eager, Tom Gourdie, Lloyd Reynolds, and Paul Standard, along with many examples of amateur italic writing.

A copy of “This is Minnesota” by Betty Bridgman, handwritten by Ruth Justus, is individually cataloged as Wing ZP 983 .J99.