Frederick W. Tamblyn
1870-1947
After two years in St. Louis, Tamblyn, wanting to
be nearer his mother and his home, moved to Kansas
City, Missouri on July 1, 1897. Some of his
business followed him from St. Louis and he gained
new business in Kansas City. With the gradual
growth of the correspondence teaching he soon found
himself to be quite busy. Shortly after moving to
Kansas City, he was employed by the Brown Business
College where he taught penmanship classes. Once
his own business began to occupy all of his time,
he left the college to pursue his business
interests. At this time he established his studio
in the Lyceum Building in Kansas City.
Tamblyn first began using magazines for his correspondence courses in 1910. His philosophy was that a volume of business at a fair price was the key to success. For many years he spent from $300 to $1,000 a month in advertising, with enrollments running from 200 to 400 per month. With the decline of business in the late twenties he decreased his advertising. However, he never stopped using it as a tool to develop new business. His labor intensive 'fresh from the pen' copies were sent to his students along with an occasional letter of inspiration urging the students to do their very best work on every lesson.
Tamblyn first began using magazines for his correspondence courses in 1910. His philosophy was that a volume of business at a fair price was the key to success. For many years he spent from $300 to $1,000 a month in advertising, with enrollments running from 200 to 400 per month. With the decline of business in the late twenties he decreased his advertising. However, he never stopped using it as a tool to develop new business. His labor intensive 'fresh from the pen' copies were sent to his students along with an occasional letter of inspiration urging the students to do their very best work on every lesson.
For over 30 years, he personalized high school
diplomas, prepared penmanship copy books for
business colleges and art schools, inscribed
memorial parchments eulogizing prominent men,
including the late William Rockhill Nelson, Warren
Harding, Woodrow Wilson, and several other
presidents, and produced a plaque that was
presented to Queen Marie of Romania when she
visited Kansas City in 1926. He also testified in
trials as a handwriting expert.
F. W. Tamblyn was described as always being a hard worker who possessed good judgement was honest, sincere and always endeavored to give students and customers full value and more where possible. He embodied business abilities with his art and had made a success financially as well as made a contribution to society in a way of starting thousands on the road to better penmanship.
As a result of the business conditions in the 1930s, he began to devote greater attention to engrossing and diplomas. After the depression of the early thirties, the manufacturing of diplomas began. He offered lithographed diplomas that were personalized and all kinds of booklet diplomas with handsomely embossed covers of leather that were produced in his bindery.
Tamblyn was fortunate to secure the services of Stephen A. Ziller early on. A 1932 graduate of the Zanerian College in Columbus, Ohio, Ziller was a good designer and fine engrosser with considerable ability. Together Tamblyn and Ziller labored for nearly 5 years. A good share of their success was attributed to Ziller's ability and industry. In 1936, Tamblyn wanted to partially retire, and Ziller wanted to take over the business. Both men came to an agreement that set Ziller on a course of running the operation for the next 55 years.
F. W. Tamblyn was described as always being a hard worker who possessed good judgement was honest, sincere and always endeavored to give students and customers full value and more where possible. He embodied business abilities with his art and had made a success financially as well as made a contribution to society in a way of starting thousands on the road to better penmanship.
As a result of the business conditions in the 1930s, he began to devote greater attention to engrossing and diplomas. After the depression of the early thirties, the manufacturing of diplomas began. He offered lithographed diplomas that were personalized and all kinds of booklet diplomas with handsomely embossed covers of leather that were produced in his bindery.
Tamblyn was fortunate to secure the services of Stephen A. Ziller early on. A 1932 graduate of the Zanerian College in Columbus, Ohio, Ziller was a good designer and fine engrosser with considerable ability. Together Tamblyn and Ziller labored for nearly 5 years. A good share of their success was attributed to Ziller's ability and industry. In 1936, Tamblyn wanted to partially retire, and Ziller wanted to take over the business. Both men came to an agreement that set Ziller on a course of running the operation for the next 55 years.
In the declining years of his life Tamblyn was
asked about his formula for success. His reply was,
Service. And he believed that there were still
great opportunities for both young men and women to
succeed as at any time in the past. It was said
that the whole secret is embodied in the following
qualities: brains and hard work in the use of them,
with diligent use of both hands and feet,
personality, faithfulness, sincerity, honesty,
ability and thorough qualification in the chosen
profession, rendering if possible, greater service
than competitors. In other words, 'More for less.'
Remembering that volume with small individual
profit is essential to financial success.
During the Christmas rush of 1944, while wrapping a large bundle with strong cord, Tamblyn made a quick hard pull to break the string when something 'snapped' in his shoulder. His writing hand became numb and excruciating pain resulted, leaving him unable to letter. Thus, the man who had known no limit in his ambition to serve the public with his penwork would now experience a physical limitation. He eventually developed arthritis in that arm. It was written that the Tamblyn name and work would live on as long as penmanship continued to be a profession. In fact, Tamblyn's name endures even now, long after the profession of penmanship was lost to the sands of time.
Having been in poor health for several years he had undergone several operations before his passing. On February 16, 1947, Frederick W. Tamblyn passed away at Research Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. At the time he was residing at 2 East 58th Street and was buried in the Forest Hill Cemetery located in Kansas City.
During the Christmas rush of 1944, while wrapping a large bundle with strong cord, Tamblyn made a quick hard pull to break the string when something 'snapped' in his shoulder. His writing hand became numb and excruciating pain resulted, leaving him unable to letter. Thus, the man who had known no limit in his ambition to serve the public with his penwork would now experience a physical limitation. He eventually developed arthritis in that arm. It was written that the Tamblyn name and work would live on as long as penmanship continued to be a profession. In fact, Tamblyn's name endures even now, long after the profession of penmanship was lost to the sands of time.
Having been in poor health for several years he had undergone several operations before his passing. On February 16, 1947, Frederick W. Tamblyn passed away at Research Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. At the time he was residing at 2 East 58th Street and was buried in the Forest Hill Cemetery located in Kansas City.
Envelopes to himself from
the family trip to Australia in 1917
the family trip to Australia in 1917
