New stationary for the New Year

I've started stockpiling stationary and notecards for 2014, and I've found some great bargains. The first set I ordered from Daedalus Books for $2.95 each (8 notecards and envelopes), and I found hummingbird notecards and envelopes on clearance at Pier One for $4.95 (10 cards). 

Lettering

I thought I'd learn hand lettering to spice up the letters and cards I send. It's a slow process, but here are a few of my beginning sketches and such.

Down to two

After a spring full of new penpals, I'm down to 2 (both from the States). I figured this would be the case, and it's totally fine, because writing to more than a few people on a regular basis is truly exhausting. I found some cute autumnal stationary at BN a few weeks ago, which I'm loving, and I plan to get Brad to design more personalized stationary for me soon as well.

Because I'm in the midst of writing my thesis, I have the joy of reading through some of the Bronte sister's letters, which I find fascinating. Maybe when I'm not so busy with other projects, I'll write a book about letter writing in the 19th Century. Just a thought.

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

Page 1

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.”

Page 2

Page 3

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. 

Victorian Handwriting

Here is the link to a pdf file about Victorian handwriting and the importance of letter writing in that era, along with examples of the fonts used, and examples of letters written in those fonts.

The Famous "Browning Letters"

I found a site today that has scanned the original letters of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, along with her husband, Robert Browning's letters. The couple's love letters are renowned for their depth of feeling, and are well worth taking the time to read (even if you don't read the originals).

Read them at Baylor's site :'The Browning Letters.'

Below is Robert Browning's love letter to Elizabeth Barrett from 1845.

The Etiquette of Letter Writing (1927)

"Social correspondence assumes added importance as our lives grow busier. Not that the visits of a generation ago which lasted the better part of an afternoon are superseded by a moment's stop in a motor and the dropping of cards; when a note must ofttimes accomplish as much as a lengthy call, it behooves us not only to be correct in our correspondence, but to be gracious as well. 
The purpose of this little book is to point the way...."  


This book, A Desk Book on The Etiquette of Letter Writing And Social Correspondence in General was published in 1927 by the Eaton, Crane, and Pike Company.
I bought mine at Amazon for a little over $3, and there are a few still available.


Contents Include:

• Social Correspondence
• Social Stationary
• Composing the Letter
• Mourning
• The Etiquette of Cards
• Invitations
• Engagements
• Wedding Forms
• Wedding Anniversaries
• Addressing People of Title
• Specific Problems

International Pen Pals

A few international pen pal letters I've received this year.

At the first of the year, I decided to expand my horizons and start writing to international pen pals. I found a few sites that were free to join, and found several pen pals (and some found me) to write to. Currently, I have pen pals in England, France, Malaysia, and Greece.

A word of caution: When joining pen pal sites, I wouldn't recommend posting your mailing address online. I leave an email address (one specifically created for pen pals), so if a person is interesting in becoming my pen pal, they can email me first. That way, I can make sure I only get mail from those I choose to get mail from. For instance, since I'm happily married, I don't pen pal with men, only women who are around my age.

International letters cost $1.10 to mail (per letter under 1 oz.), so it doesn't break the bank writing international letters, either.

Here is one site (Pen Pals Now) I used for pen pals, both in the U.S. and international. 

New Stationary Box

My old stationary box wasn't cutting it, so I had to buy a new one this weekend. I found this one (wood on the inside, vinyl and faux letter on the outside) at Hobby Lobby. The regular price is $25, but I bought it when it was 50% off. There were several like this one, and some that were shaped perfectly to store letters in, though I wouldn't want to pay the regular price for any of them. They usually go half off every other week, or you can get them 40% off by printing the coupon from their website, or downloading the app on your smart phone.

Join the Letter Writers' Alliance

I recently found the 13 Sparrows (in conjunction with the Letters Writers Alliance) site, and I happily share it with fellow letter writers, or those who would like to start writing traditional letters. They offer unique, vintage mail stationary and accessories, along with a blog that has a multitude of information on letter writing.

Membership is only $5 (or less if you purchase certain stationary at the same time).