Gilded Age Sealing Wax Etiquette

Most correct are the seals with beloved sentiments such as, “Forget Me Not,” “True Friendship,” “With My Hand and Sele.” – A Gilded Wax Seal 
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The Correct Thing

The correct thing now is to seal one’s letters with red sealing wax if you will, but preferably blue, green or cinnamon colored, and seal with your crest or coat of arms if you choose.  

But more correctly, still with emblems, such as the good old sentimental ones our grandmothers loved: “Forget Me Not,” “True Friendship,” “With My Hand and Sele.”—Chicago Herald, 1893

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Etiquette of Written Correspondence

Miss Allen said, “I am sure you did not open this, girls. You see, your mother knows that it is not correct to close the flap when she sends a note by messenger...”

The Children Learn Fine Points Of Letter Etiquette

The two Green sisters had a note for teacher. Mother had sent it with them. As the teacher took it in her hands, the girls saw her eyes fall upon the open flap of the envelope before she looked at the address on the envelope itself. The girls said, “Mother didn’t lick the envelope, Miss Allen, honestly, she didn't.’’ They seemed to think that the teacher might believe that they had opened the envelope to read the note. Miss Allen said, “I am sure you did not open this, girls. You see, your mother knows that it is not correct to close the flap when she sends a note by messenger. Suppose we talk about letter writing when the last bell rings.” 

During the ensuing discussion the children learned the following things about letter writing. First, that simple, plain letter paper is better than any gaudy or heavily decorated stationery. Correct letter paper is always unlined and certainly not perfumed. Fashions in monogramming change but rather plain initials, not too large, are always in good taste. Gold edged cards, monograms heavily embossed or engraved in silver or gold are not as correct as the smaller ones embossed in a color. 

Any note should be enclosed in an envelope, not sent with a corner of the folded paper turned down. But when the note is delivered by anyone other than a professional messenger the flap of the envelope is left unsealed. The envelope may carry the words “kindness of” but this is unnecessary. The recipient will know it has been brought by the bearer, so why state it on the envelope? 

It is silly to use colored inks. There is nothing easier to read than black on white or cream. Lavender ink, green ink, red ink may have their place on invitations for special affairs, such as a Saint Patrick's day party or a Christmas affair, but for every day use there is nothing nicer than black, or a blue so deep it looks black. – By Florence La Ganke, 1936

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia 

Letter Writing Etiquette

The calls for written expression are many, and unless the dame of fashion possesses an up to date scribe or social secretary, and the young girl will not, very likely, though the matron may, it is essential she should be well posted as to the etiquette of correspondence. 

The Etiquette of Correspondence

As the social season approaches and the young girl is just about to emerge into the world of society, a full fledged butterfly of fashion, many details in connection with the happy and auspicious event have to be considered, among them the polite art of correspondence. There is nothing which seems to reflect a general air of innate refinement and cultivation like that of being able to express one's self on all occasions with ease, elegance and fitness.

The calls for written expression are many, and unless the dame of fashion possesses an up to date scribe or social secretary, and the young girl will not, very likely, though the matron may, it is essential she should be well posted as to the etiquette of correspondence. Many hints might be dropped in regard to the manner in which to write a note or letter. For formal occasions there is always a prescribed usage, varying a little with the importance of the personage and the function and with the prevailing taste in such matters.

To illustrate my point, there are times and occasions when the stately "honor" is used in preference to the more familiar and cordial "pleasure," but the most important thing of all is to be able to compose informal notes and letters in an easy and colloquial style. The regular business letter, which women of affairs so frequently do write, should be brief and to the point, expressed clearly and concisely, at the right hours at most devoted to business is all too short for the rush and whirl of one tense and strenuous era. — Los Angeles Herald, 1908

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Moderator and Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia