Michael Sull (born 1949) is an IAMPETH master penman[1] and author living in Mission, Kansas, United States. An expert on penmanship, he was Ronald Reagan's calligrapher after his presidency[2] and is known worldwide for his skill and teaching ability.[3] He regularly teaches handwriting, calligraphy, and engrossing programs throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.
Considered one of America's foremost living Spencerian penmen, he is author of Spencerian Script and Ornamental Penmanship, Learning to Write Spencerian Script, and American Cursive Handwriting, and publishes various other educational materials focusing on pen writing. He also manufactures period style oblique dip pen equipment for use by penmen today.
In Geneva, Ohio (Platt R. Spencer's home town) Sull previously organized annual week-long seminars dedicated to Spencerian script known as the Spencerian Saga since 1987, wholly devoted to Spencerian Script and Ornamental Penmanship. The Spencerian Saga[4] is now organized by Harvest Crittenden of Acorn Arts Studio.
Sull's career, however, didn't begin in the penmanship industry. After graduating from Syracuse University with a degree in forestry, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. It wasn't until his discharge from the Service that he began to pursue his interest in calligraphy. Sull's penmanship has lent itself to a lengthy career in the field, enabling him to found a calligraphy guild, work as a calligrapher and lettering artist at Hallmark, and start his own ornamental penmanship company.
Today, Sull serves as Master Penman for Zaner-Bloser, performing public demonstrations. He is also the current Academic Director of Ink.Academy.[5] He currently resides with his wife, Debra, in Mission, Kansas.
