While cleaning the garage Goodwin noticed his brother, an architect, throwing away old art supplies. Goodwin in good conscious couldn’t let that happen. He packed the supplies up in a box to take back to Boston where he had been stationed in the Navy aboard the USS Boston, and was working as a designer for Polaroid.

In October of 1977, Goodwin left Polaroid, and bought J.R. Rosen, a calligraphy studio established in 1913 on the corner of Tremont and Boylston in Boston.

He loved calligraphy. The previous owner had died, and it seemed practical to buy. 

That December while in his attic looking for ornaments, he found that box of art supplies. His brother had died in July, and Goodwin started looking through it. 

In the box was an advertisement for J.R. Rosen Studio. It was done using a blotter in the 1920s, and resembled another advertisement Goodwin found in a drawer at work. 

“My brother never left Nevada except to go to Korea when he was in the army,” said Goodwin, 73, of Braintree. “I have no idea how he got that, but it seemed telling. What were the chances?”

In his 38 years as owner of what he says is the oldest calligraphy studio in America, now located on Beale Street in Quincy, Goodwin has maintained a hand crafting business in a technology immersed society. 

In the winter he soaks his hands in hot water before taking pen to paper and one of his favorite fonts (he does over 40) is one he invented, Rosen Engrosser. He has done work from the prestigious to the common. He said fair pricing and good work has kept him in business. 

What has kept your business alive and going for so long?

It’s people. The people who still like hand calligraphy. There are people who have been with me since I bought the business. Like the Rotary Club out of Brookline can’t wait for June to come when they’re getting a hand-done piece. 

Did you add framing to diversify?

I did. The two previous owners had used local Boston framers. I know how to frame and it seemed easier to give customers a one-stop-shop. Now I have people coming in who just want framing done. 

It sounds like customers are very loyal to you.

Calligraphy customers are loyal. I once got a call from Boston University’s president’s office asking me to do a citation. I did. Their calligrapher, I didn’t know who he was, couldn’t do it because it was three days before graduation.

Page 2 of 2 - Then they asked me to do a second one the day before graduation. They didn’t come back the next year even though I did them the favor because they were loyal to their calligrapher. 

How many customers do you serve?

I get unknown customers two to three times a month. During graduation seasons, Valentines day and Christmas I have a lot of customers. People like to do poems or have their vows done for Valentines day. 

As far as colleges and repeat institutions go, two or three of them give me work at least once a week. 

Is the wedding business big for you?

Yes, during the spring season when envelope addressing and seating scrolls are in demand. My son owns and runs Emerald Invitations right next door so we work in conjunction with each other. My biggest business are college diplomas, but I can really do anything. I’ve done work on rocks and sea shells as place cards –– people come up with ingenious ideas. I won’t say no to anything really. It may take me a little longer and I’m going to charge you the real price. But they’ll get something they’ll have forever.

How many projects do you take on at a time?

A lot. It may be two or three jobs or it may be 10. I’ve never wondered where my next job is going to come from.

How do you decide price?

There are set prices on invitations and addressing. Verses or poems may take me an hour or two, so maybe $60. To put a name on a certificate I may charge $3 or $5. It depends on preparation

. 

I’ve had a lot of people say I don’t charge enough. That bothers me because I’m charging fine, it means other people are charging more than they should. I’m never going to be a millionaire but I love what I do. 

It looks like you collect ink wells?

In the early 1970s before I bought this place, my family and I were exploring old mining towns on a visit to Nevada. In the middle of the desert my metal detector went off. I found this chunk that I thought was from an old rotary phone. It was an old ink well – probably from a miners desk. That was my first one. Little did I know at that time, I would own J.R. Rosen. It seems like I was meant to take care of this place.