Victorian Etiquette for Letters and Cards

Each individual can use a personal preference as to what tint shall be chosen, what style of monogram, if any, shall be impressed...

Victorian Etiquette, Letters, Stationery and Visiting Cards

If people that you are acquainted with meet a loss by death, and you think anything of such people, it would be proper for you to write a letter of condolence. You should confine yourself to a few words of sympathy. If the life of the person just gone has been a beautiful one, some allusion to that will be proper, but do not offer anything that would seem like preaching a sermon or deducting a moral. 

Etiquette demands a certain adherence to conventional forms in regard to the size and shape of the paper and envelopes used in writing letters of friendship, congratulations, condolence, etc... Beyond a compliance with this general requirement, each individual can use a personal preference as to what tint shall be chosen, what style of monogram, if any, shall be impressed, and whether the sheets of paper shall be plain or grained and rough. 

A gentleman may have a monogram on his paper and envelopes if he so desires without transgressing on the rules of etiquette; that is a matter of individual taste, but the requisite is that the stationery be of good quality, the handwriting plain and the style simple.

P. P. C. cards are not sent out when the party leaves the home for a short visit in the country. Such are used only when the person contemplates an absence from home for a long time, such as a tour of continental Europe or a visit to some other State, which may be of six months' duration or even longer. It is the duty of the person intending to absent himself or herself for a prolonged period, to make a call of adieu on friends, and if such are not at home then the visitor leaves a pour prendre conge card. — San Francisco Call, 1898 - 1899

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