Letter seals: a history - Recollections Blog
I was a bit surprised to find out that seals as a form of identification in correspondence pre-date paper itself. Says Vintage Compact Shop: “Seals have been used since ancient times to seal goods and important communications. Seals were used as early as the seventh millennium B.C. to stamp impressions … See more
The clever folds that kept letters secret - BBC
Hundreds of years ago, people developed ingenious methods to secure their letters from prying eyes – and they did it with only paper, adhesive and folds. Late at night on 8 February 1587, an...
Sealing wax - Wikipedia
Sealing wax is a wax material of a seal which, after melting, hardens quickly (to paper, parchment, ribbons and wire, and other material), forming a bond that is difficult to break without noticeable tampering. Wax is used to verify that something such as a document is unopened, to verify the sender's identity (for example with a seal stamp or signet ring), and as decoration. Sealing wax can …
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The Spiral Letter Locking of Elizabeth I and Mary, …
Apr 15, 2022 · The particularly elaborate spiral lock used by Mary, Queen of Scots in her last letter, on the eve of her execution creates a very secure lock using a spiral, which could be sealed with water or even saliva, making it …
Before Envelopes, People Protected Messages With Letterlocking
The Postal Service in 18th Century Britain: Letters and …
Sep 9, 2009 · A letter was simply folded over and sealed with wax that was stamped by a signet ring or a seal. Recipients, not the sender, had to pay for the cost of a letter. This system caused hardship in cases where the recipient did …
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This Trunk Stuffed With 17th-Century Letters Is a …
Nov 9, 2015 · Not only are the letters sealed with unique wax seals, which captured the fingerprints of some senders, but also they were folded to be their own envelopes. Historians don't know much about the...
Unfolding the Mysteries of Sealing Wax and Wafers
Jul 15, 2009 · In the 19th century, sealing wax was a material made by the melting of lac or rosin with turpentine and pigments. In it’s earliest forms it would have been made of beeswax and resin. The sealing wax was used to “seal” …
Photos: Treasure Trove of Unopened 17th-Century …
Nov 23, 2015 · Researchers are examining a trove of unopened 17th-century letters. The initiative, dubbed "Signed, Sealed & Undelivered," aims to virtually open and inspect the historic notes. This letter...
The History of Wax Seals - Hankering for History
1 day ago · The wax seals were used to identify both the sender of the letter and the recipient, as well as its contents. They were also used to protect the letter from any tampering. In addition, it served as a way to authenticate the …
