Lettering manual — booklet, The Shaw Correspondence School, J. E. H. MacDonald, 1913

In 1892, W. Henry Shaw founded the Central Business College in the Forum Building at Yonge and Gerrard Streets, Toronto. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries – before most schools offered courses in commercial art and lettering – the Shaw Correspondence School provided lessons in both subjects by mail. Students mailed their completed assignments to the school, where they were critiqued by an instructor, then returned by post.

Shaw’s staff included several well-known artists, among them J. E. H. MacDonald – a future co-founder and member of the Group of Seven. MacDonald joined the school in 1909 and served as supervisor of the Art Department. He wrote and illustrated course materials, reviewed student submissions, and final graded examination papers. He remained with Shaw for fifteen years before moving on to the Ontario College of Art. – Rod McDonald