A good week of letters

This week has been a record for me. I received 4 pen pal letters, 3 of which were international (England, Australia, Greece). I also picked up some clearance stationary at Target for $2.98 (regular $5.99), so all in all, it's been a good week.

More letter storage...courtesy of Pier 1 imports

Mother's Day was last Sunday, which meant that I racked up on gifts (courtesy of my loving husband). I found a storage box for my pen pal letters, disguised as an old book. The outside feels like leather, while the inside of the box is a solid construction of wood with a magnetic clasp to keep it closed. It was 20% off, so I snagged it for under $14 after tax.

New Custom Stationary via Brad Wallace Imaging

My husband, owner of Brad Wallace Imaging, designed custom stationary for me and I'm loving it.

I bought the cards and envelopes at Hobby Lobby ($6.99), and printed them on our ink jet printer.

New stamps

Today I had to make a run to the post office for new stamps, especially the stamps needed for my international letters. Maybe I'm behind the times, but there are now international forever stamps. I used to have to buy a $1.05 stamp plus a $.05 stamp to mail an international letter, but now I only have to buy the one. Hooray!

Heartbreak on February 4, 1922

Just came across this letter from Elizabeth Beres to Nicholas Bandy, who she was previously engaged to. She has recently discovered that Nick was previously married and has a child by that person, or that is what is insinuated in the letter. Now she and Nick are no longer engaged, but she asks to keep the ring and remain friends with Nick. What a woman (and only eighteen years old at that)! This was written around a year before they finally did get married (after he gets a divorce in late 1922). 

Letter reads: 

520 East 118th St.
New York, N.Y.
Feb 4, 1922.

Friend Nicholas,

Have received your letter to-day, and thought I would answer it. As you will understand I have mailed a a letter before I had received yours.

Why Nick, if I only knew that you felt so cold towards me I would have not write to you in that style.

I have waited in these last few days and was thinking that maybe you have change your mind since I saw you last. But anyway you know best what you want.

The way I understand from your letter you said we could be friends, lets hope so, I will always have you as a friend as long as you want me to. And the door will always be opened for you.

You are expressing your great love for your child. I do not blame you in the least Nick, for I know that I would not fill any better if I was in your place and I hope your love for her will be warmer than ever.

Guess I'll close now as I am rather short of thoughts.

I remain.
Just a friend
Elizabeth

P.S. I think I will keep the ring as long as you have no objection to it.

Love letter from Elizabeth Beres to unknown recipient, 1920

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This is one of the only letters in the love letter batch I received that isn't signed by the sender, although I suppose it's safe to assume it was written by Elizabeth Beres to Nicholas Bandy, since they were unofficially courting at the time, but some of the text is confusing, so I'm not sure. Because they aren't native English speakers, it's understandable how the author could be confused. The handwriting isn't Nicholas's, so I'm assuming it's Elizabeth writing, or another man to her? Elizabeth would have been 16 years old at the time of this letter, and Nicholas would've been 23 years old.




Original letter reads (I have typed this letter exactly as it was written, so there are misspellings):

Leap Year, 1920

Dearest Sweetheart,

            I am writing you a few lines and hope that the same will interest you. Of all men I have met you are the one I can’t forget. I must confess I love you and your name will suit me too. Now don’t be slow for a wife, I’ll make you happy all your life.

Your friendship is a golden chain which brings two hearts together and if you don’t break this chain we can be friends forever. Our eyes have met, out lips not yet, but oh you kid, I’ll get you yet. If there is a spot in your heart for me, plant a for-get-me-not there and think of me. “Love is a lump of gold hard to find and hard to hold. They say it is a sin to love. But I will sin for you to die. To you my heart is given, why throw away the key, Dearest Sweetheart, if I may call you, that all I ask is love and all I want is you. Years may come and weeks may die. But my love for you will never die. Oh, Dearest.

I will be your dearest friend. You will be rewarded if you can guess who sent this. Apples are good but pears (pairs) are better. If you cannoh guess the writer, write to the one you love best. No answer soon. With best wishes, I am your most violent Love,

“Isle of View.”

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Love Letter from the 1920's

I won these love letters (1920's) on an Ebay auction, so I'll be spending a good part of my weekend looking over the 55 letters and transcribing them. I'll post the most interesting ones on this blog. The letters are between an Elizabeth and Nicholas, both living in New York. Both were Hungarian immigrants as well. I'll also post pics of census records for these two individuals.