Anne here, writing to you from my laptop.
It might surprise you to know that Jane Austen also wrote on a laptop. So did my grandfather and I think his grandfather, too. Though theirs weren't quite the same as mine. For a start, theirs were made of wood. (That's a side-on view of Grandpa's laptop above.)
Alexander Hamilton had one — all sorts of famous people did. They were standard equipment, especially for people who travelled. Here's a link to learn more about Hamilton's.
These days the fact that most written communication is electronic and effectively temporary makes me a little sad. I have numerous handwritten letters carefully stored away and just seeing the handwriting evokes the writer in my memory. These letters can last forever, whereas most electronic texts only last until the computer or phone they were stored in is replaced. We rarely make an effort to save any, and we even more rarely print them off.
But in Jane Austen's time, and my grandfather's and for many generations before them, letters were precious, and thus letter boxes were made to store the paraphernalia used to write and send them.
My grandfather's letter box is remarkably similar to the one Jane Austen's father gave her when she was nineteen—that's Jane's on the left. Closed, it looks completely rectangular, but when you open the lid, you see it slopes to a convenient angle for writing. It closes tightly with a latch to keep it shut, and there's a lock with two keys: correspondence is precious.
Like most writing boxes, Jane Austen's one included a space for an ink pot and a lockable drawer for paper and valuables. Between 1795 and 1799 she produced first drafts of what would later become Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey, perhaps using this very writing desk. While travelling through Dartford in 1798 she almost lost it – and her savings of seven pounds – when it was accidentally placed in a horse-drawn chaise heading for Dover. I can imagine how upset she would have been, and how relieved when it was recovered.
The sloped writing surface of Grandpa's box is covered with blue velvet—most writing boxes had a surface covered with a soft cloth, which made for a smoother surface for using a quill pen and ink. Some were covered with leather. The white square in the photo is a letter from my dad, who passed away many years ago. When I received the writing box I was thrilled to discover a pile of precious old letters in it, including some from my father when he was courting my mother.
Grandpa's box, like most writing boxes, has compartments in which pens and ink, seals and sealing wax and perhaps a knife for sharpening a quill were stored. In Grandpa's I found a little old box, empty now, that once contained French nibs (see pic on the left). The back part of the sloping writing surface lifts up and was used to store letters and writing paper.
Many writing boxes were custom-made and there are some beautiful designs which would have been custom-made, like the one in the photo below. Grandpa's box is edged with a thin band of mother-of-pearl, which makes me think it might have been a gift. The edges are a little battered now — it was well used in its day.
A gift writing box could also be perfumed — a piece of thin leather or blotting paper would be scented with perfume, allowed to dry, then enclosed in silk and slipped into the box, or between sheets of writing paper. I can imagine a wife doing such a thing, scenting her departing husband's writing box to remind him of her when they're far apart—and perhaps reminding him to write to her. (Source)
When I was a teenager, my sister-in-law returned from a trip including Italy and presented me with this beautiful leather-covered writing case from Florence. There are compartments for envelopes and pens and notepaper and so on, and a lift-out blotter pad. I loved it to bits and wrote so many letters using it. I still treasure it, even though the number of letters I write these days has dwindled almost to nothing.
What about you — do you have some kind of writing box? Have you any precious old letters that you have kept? Do you still write letters by hand or is it all electronic? Do you save any? How?
While I don’t have a letter box, I do have an antique ink pot, several fountain pens and a glass quill that writes remarkably smooth lines. I don’t write the way I used to either, but I still use a fountain pen almost exclusively. Unfortunately, my kept letters went out in the trash the last time we moved, along with our wedding pictures when my husband tossed the wrong box 🙁
While I don’t have a letter box, I do have an antique ink pot, several fountain pens and a glass quill that writes remarkably smooth lines. I don’t write the way I used to either, but I still use a fountain pen almost exclusively. Unfortunately, my kept letters went out in the trash the last time we moved, along with our wedding pictures when my husband tossed the wrong box 🙁
While I don’t have a letter box, I do have an antique ink pot, several fountain pens and a glass quill that writes remarkably smooth lines. I don’t write the way I used to either, but I still use a fountain pen almost exclusively. Unfortunately, my kept letters went out in the trash the last time we moved, along with our wedding pictures when my husband tossed the wrong box 🙁
While I don’t have a letter box, I do have an antique ink pot, several fountain pens and a glass quill that writes remarkably smooth lines. I don’t write the way I used to either, but I still use a fountain pen almost exclusively. Unfortunately, my kept letters went out in the trash the last time we moved, along with our wedding pictures when my husband tossed the wrong box 🙁
While I don’t have a letter box, I do have an antique ink pot, several fountain pens and a glass quill that writes remarkably smooth lines. I don’t write the way I used to either, but I still use a fountain pen almost exclusively. Unfortunately, my kept letters went out in the trash the last time we moved, along with our wedding pictures when my husband tossed the wrong box 🙁
A few years back I came home one night to find a huge envelope that had been sent to me by one of my aunts in California. The envelop was full of cards and letters that had been sent to my grandmother by my mother.
My grandmother had lived with this aunt during her last years and had died many years before. My aunt and her husband were cleaning out their house because they were getting ready to move and came across several boxes of letters my grandmother had kept. They were from her children – she had 14 children. She sent the ones from my mother to me.
What a treasure! There were cards and letters dating from the early 20s through the early 1970s.
I don’t write letters anymore. Letters were the best way to communicate back in the day. A long distance call could be quite expensive. But there was just something much more personal about a letter. I think it was the time and thought that was put into them. So much more than just gabbing on the phone.
I did have a laptop writing desk as a teenager. Nothing as elaborate or beautiful as those shown above. It was a simple board with a bottom that was like a pillow that conformed to my lap. Did my homework on it sometime.
Loved this post.
A few years back I came home one night to find a huge envelope that had been sent to me by one of my aunts in California. The envelop was full of cards and letters that had been sent to my grandmother by my mother.
My grandmother had lived with this aunt during her last years and had died many years before. My aunt and her husband were cleaning out their house because they were getting ready to move and came across several boxes of letters my grandmother had kept. They were from her children – she had 14 children. She sent the ones from my mother to me.
What a treasure! There were cards and letters dating from the early 20s through the early 1970s.
I don’t write letters anymore. Letters were the best way to communicate back in the day. A long distance call could be quite expensive. But there was just something much more personal about a letter. I think it was the time and thought that was put into them. So much more than just gabbing on the phone.
I did have a laptop writing desk as a teenager. Nothing as elaborate or beautiful as those shown above. It was a simple board with a bottom that was like a pillow that conformed to my lap. Did my homework on it sometime.
Loved this post.
A few years back I came home one night to find a huge envelope that had been sent to me by one of my aunts in California. The envelop was full of cards and letters that had been sent to my grandmother by my mother.
My grandmother had lived with this aunt during her last years and had died many years before. My aunt and her husband were cleaning out their house because they were getting ready to move and came across several boxes of letters my grandmother had kept. They were from her children – she had 14 children. She sent the ones from my mother to me.
What a treasure! There were cards and letters dating from the early 20s through the early 1970s.
I don’t write letters anymore. Letters were the best way to communicate back in the day. A long distance call could be quite expensive. But there was just something much more personal about a letter. I think it was the time and thought that was put into them. So much more than just gabbing on the phone.
I did have a laptop writing desk as a teenager. Nothing as elaborate or beautiful as those shown above. It was a simple board with a bottom that was like a pillow that conformed to my lap. Did my homework on it sometime.
Loved this post.
A few years back I came home one night to find a huge envelope that had been sent to me by one of my aunts in California. The envelop was full of cards and letters that had been sent to my grandmother by my mother.
My grandmother had lived with this aunt during her last years and had died many years before. My aunt and her husband were cleaning out their house because they were getting ready to move and came across several boxes of letters my grandmother had kept. They were from her children – she had 14 children. She sent the ones from my mother to me.
What a treasure! There were cards and letters dating from the early 20s through the early 1970s.
I don’t write letters anymore. Letters were the best way to communicate back in the day. A long distance call could be quite expensive. But there was just something much more personal about a letter. I think it was the time and thought that was put into them. So much more than just gabbing on the phone.
I did have a laptop writing desk as a teenager. Nothing as elaborate or beautiful as those shown above. It was a simple board with a bottom that was like a pillow that conformed to my lap. Did my homework on it sometime.
Loved this post.
A few years back I came home one night to find a huge envelope that had been sent to me by one of my aunts in California. The envelop was full of cards and letters that had been sent to my grandmother by my mother.
My grandmother had lived with this aunt during her last years and had died many years before. My aunt and her husband were cleaning out their house because they were getting ready to move and came across several boxes of letters my grandmother had kept. They were from her children – she had 14 children. She sent the ones from my mother to me.
What a treasure! There were cards and letters dating from the early 20s through the early 1970s.
I don’t write letters anymore. Letters were the best way to communicate back in the day. A long distance call could be quite expensive. But there was just something much more personal about a letter. I think it was the time and thought that was put into them. So much more than just gabbing on the phone.
I did have a laptop writing desk as a teenager. Nothing as elaborate or beautiful as those shown above. It was a simple board with a bottom that was like a pillow that conformed to my lap. Did my homework on it sometime.
Loved this post.
Lovely, Anne! I knew that lap desks existed and have occasionally had characters use them, but I’ve not seem pictures of them. Using them at letter storage boxes is a lovely use of that empty space inside. I like the idea of the perfume, perhaps be a wife to remind her husband that she’s thinking of him–and he should do vice versa!
Lovely, Anne! I knew that lap desks existed and have occasionally had characters use them, but I’ve not seem pictures of them. Using them at letter storage boxes is a lovely use of that empty space inside. I like the idea of the perfume, perhaps be a wife to remind her husband that she’s thinking of him–and he should do vice versa!
Lovely, Anne! I knew that lap desks existed and have occasionally had characters use them, but I’ve not seem pictures of them. Using them at letter storage boxes is a lovely use of that empty space inside. I like the idea of the perfume, perhaps be a wife to remind her husband that she’s thinking of him–and he should do vice versa!
Lovely, Anne! I knew that lap desks existed and have occasionally had characters use them, but I’ve not seem pictures of them. Using them at letter storage boxes is a lovely use of that empty space inside. I like the idea of the perfume, perhaps be a wife to remind her husband that she’s thinking of him–and he should do vice versa!
Lovely, Anne! I knew that lap desks existed and have occasionally had characters use them, but I’ve not seem pictures of them. Using them at letter storage boxes is a lovely use of that empty space inside. I like the idea of the perfume, perhaps be a wife to remind her husband that she’s thinking of him–and he should do vice versa!
I have a wooden lap desk, and also a more modern one with a plastic covered wooden lid attached to a filled bag. Neither works well for me, because I have a slanting lap!
I have a wooden lap desk, and also a more modern one with a plastic covered wooden lid attached to a filled bag. Neither works well for me, because I have a slanting lap!
I have a wooden lap desk, and also a more modern one with a plastic covered wooden lid attached to a filled bag. Neither works well for me, because I have a slanting lap!
I have a wooden lap desk, and also a more modern one with a plastic covered wooden lid attached to a filled bag. Neither works well for me, because I have a slanting lap!
I have a wooden lap desk, and also a more modern one with a plastic covered wooden lid attached to a filled bag. Neither works well for me, because I have a slanting lap!
What an awful mistake, Theo! My sympathies.
What an awful mistake, Theo! My sympathies.
What an awful mistake, Theo! My sympathies.
What an awful mistake, Theo! My sympathies.
What an awful mistake, Theo! My sympathies.
I have some letters from old high school and college era friends as well as some cards and letters from my husband. I also have letters that I wrote my parents when I was about 17 to 21. I’ve been toying with the idea of sending some of the friends’ letters back to them as a blast from the past. One ‘letter’ from my old college roommate is actually a stack of old computer punch cards from when she was taking Fortran.
Thank you for a lovely post, Anne. And, yes, I do still mail cards and letters.
I have some letters from old high school and college era friends as well as some cards and letters from my husband. I also have letters that I wrote my parents when I was about 17 to 21. I’ve been toying with the idea of sending some of the friends’ letters back to them as a blast from the past. One ‘letter’ from my old college roommate is actually a stack of old computer punch cards from when she was taking Fortran.
Thank you for a lovely post, Anne. And, yes, I do still mail cards and letters.
I have some letters from old high school and college era friends as well as some cards and letters from my husband. I also have letters that I wrote my parents when I was about 17 to 21. I’ve been toying with the idea of sending some of the friends’ letters back to them as a blast from the past. One ‘letter’ from my old college roommate is actually a stack of old computer punch cards from when she was taking Fortran.
Thank you for a lovely post, Anne. And, yes, I do still mail cards and letters.
I have some letters from old high school and college era friends as well as some cards and letters from my husband. I also have letters that I wrote my parents when I was about 17 to 21. I’ve been toying with the idea of sending some of the friends’ letters back to them as a blast from the past. One ‘letter’ from my old college roommate is actually a stack of old computer punch cards from when she was taking Fortran.
Thank you for a lovely post, Anne. And, yes, I do still mail cards and letters.
I have some letters from old high school and college era friends as well as some cards and letters from my husband. I also have letters that I wrote my parents when I was about 17 to 21. I’ve been toying with the idea of sending some of the friends’ letters back to them as a blast from the past. One ‘letter’ from my old college roommate is actually a stack of old computer punch cards from when she was taking Fortran.
Thank you for a lovely post, Anne. And, yes, I do still mail cards and letters.
Lovely post, Anne – I have been sorely tempted to buy one of these writing slopes at the local auction here! They are so beautiful and practical at the same time. I used to write loads of real letters, but like you, these days I hardly ever put pen to paper. Such a shame! I too hoard precious old letters as they bring back such great memories.
Lovely post, Anne – I have been sorely tempted to buy one of these writing slopes at the local auction here! They are so beautiful and practical at the same time. I used to write loads of real letters, but like you, these days I hardly ever put pen to paper. Such a shame! I too hoard precious old letters as they bring back such great memories.
Lovely post, Anne – I have been sorely tempted to buy one of these writing slopes at the local auction here! They are so beautiful and practical at the same time. I used to write loads of real letters, but like you, these days I hardly ever put pen to paper. Such a shame! I too hoard precious old letters as they bring back such great memories.
Lovely post, Anne – I have been sorely tempted to buy one of these writing slopes at the local auction here! They are so beautiful and practical at the same time. I used to write loads of real letters, but like you, these days I hardly ever put pen to paper. Such a shame! I too hoard precious old letters as they bring back such great memories.
Lovely post, Anne – I have been sorely tempted to buy one of these writing slopes at the local auction here! They are so beautiful and practical at the same time. I used to write loads of real letters, but like you, these days I hardly ever put pen to paper. Such a shame! I too hoard precious old letters as they bring back such great memories.
Oh Theo, what an awful thing to happen. Moving can be enough of a trauma, but to lose such precious items by mistake — hugs.
I like the sound of your glass quill. I used to write with pen and ink, but I gave up on it many years ago for the convenience of gel pens.
Oh Theo, what an awful thing to happen. Moving can be enough of a trauma, but to lose such precious items by mistake — hugs.
I like the sound of your glass quill. I used to write with pen and ink, but I gave up on it many years ago for the convenience of gel pens.
Oh Theo, what an awful thing to happen. Moving can be enough of a trauma, but to lose such precious items by mistake — hugs.
I like the sound of your glass quill. I used to write with pen and ink, but I gave up on it many years ago for the convenience of gel pens.
Oh Theo, what an awful thing to happen. Moving can be enough of a trauma, but to lose such precious items by mistake — hugs.
I like the sound of your glass quill. I used to write with pen and ink, but I gave up on it many years ago for the convenience of gel pens.
Oh Theo, what an awful thing to happen. Moving can be enough of a trauma, but to lose such precious items by mistake — hugs.
I like the sound of your glass quill. I used to write with pen and ink, but I gave up on it many years ago for the convenience of gel pens.
Thank you. It was a bitter pill. My dad had a stroke the day we got married and my mother walked me down the aisle. I’ve managed to collect half a dozen or so pictures from friends, but it’s not quite the same.
Thank you. It was a bitter pill. My dad had a stroke the day we got married and my mother walked me down the aisle. I’ve managed to collect half a dozen or so pictures from friends, but it’s not quite the same.
Thank you. It was a bitter pill. My dad had a stroke the day we got married and my mother walked me down the aisle. I’ve managed to collect half a dozen or so pictures from friends, but it’s not quite the same.
Thank you. It was a bitter pill. My dad had a stroke the day we got married and my mother walked me down the aisle. I’ve managed to collect half a dozen or so pictures from friends, but it’s not quite the same.
Thank you. It was a bitter pill. My dad had a stroke the day we got married and my mother walked me down the aisle. I’ve managed to collect half a dozen or so pictures from friends, but it’s not quite the same.
I stay most with a Pilot Prera that has a calligraphy nib and a cartridge. That and my glass nib are just so silky smooth it’s a dream to write with them. I do use gel pens occasionally, Pentel comes to mind, but for the most part, I’ve just gotten used to the fountain type pens again.
I stay most with a Pilot Prera that has a calligraphy nib and a cartridge. That and my glass nib are just so silky smooth it’s a dream to write with them. I do use gel pens occasionally, Pentel comes to mind, but for the most part, I’ve just gotten used to the fountain type pens again.
I stay most with a Pilot Prera that has a calligraphy nib and a cartridge. That and my glass nib are just so silky smooth it’s a dream to write with them. I do use gel pens occasionally, Pentel comes to mind, but for the most part, I’ve just gotten used to the fountain type pens again.
I stay most with a Pilot Prera that has a calligraphy nib and a cartridge. That and my glass nib are just so silky smooth it’s a dream to write with them. I do use gel pens occasionally, Pentel comes to mind, but for the most part, I’ve just gotten used to the fountain type pens again.
I stay most with a Pilot Prera that has a calligraphy nib and a cartridge. That and my glass nib are just so silky smooth it’s a dream to write with them. I do use gel pens occasionally, Pentel comes to mind, but for the most part, I’ve just gotten used to the fountain type pens again.
Mary what a wonderful gift to receive so unexpectedly. And how wonderful that your aunt valued those letters enough to sort and send them to you. There are people in my family who would just think “Rubbish” and toss them out (she says direfully) *g*
I agree with you about the greater thoughtfulness of letters, and I often think of the letters soldiers of the past used to write home to their loved ones. One of my uncles courted my aunt that way — they’d never met. He’d just seen a photo of her that my dad had and decided to write to her. They were young soldiers at war, and those letters must have been so precious.
Mary what a wonderful gift to receive so unexpectedly. And how wonderful that your aunt valued those letters enough to sort and send them to you. There are people in my family who would just think “Rubbish” and toss them out (she says direfully) *g*
I agree with you about the greater thoughtfulness of letters, and I often think of the letters soldiers of the past used to write home to their loved ones. One of my uncles courted my aunt that way — they’d never met. He’d just seen a photo of her that my dad had and decided to write to her. They were young soldiers at war, and those letters must have been so precious.
Mary what a wonderful gift to receive so unexpectedly. And how wonderful that your aunt valued those letters enough to sort and send them to you. There are people in my family who would just think “Rubbish” and toss them out (she says direfully) *g*
I agree with you about the greater thoughtfulness of letters, and I often think of the letters soldiers of the past used to write home to their loved ones. One of my uncles courted my aunt that way — they’d never met. He’d just seen a photo of her that my dad had and decided to write to her. They were young soldiers at war, and those letters must have been so precious.
Mary what a wonderful gift to receive so unexpectedly. And how wonderful that your aunt valued those letters enough to sort and send them to you. There are people in my family who would just think “Rubbish” and toss them out (she says direfully) *g*
I agree with you about the greater thoughtfulness of letters, and I often think of the letters soldiers of the past used to write home to their loved ones. One of my uncles courted my aunt that way — they’d never met. He’d just seen a photo of her that my dad had and decided to write to her. They were young soldiers at war, and those letters must have been so precious.
Mary what a wonderful gift to receive so unexpectedly. And how wonderful that your aunt valued those letters enough to sort and send them to you. There are people in my family who would just think “Rubbish” and toss them out (she says direfully) *g*
I agree with you about the greater thoughtfulness of letters, and I often think of the letters soldiers of the past used to write home to their loved ones. One of my uncles courted my aunt that way — they’d never met. He’d just seen a photo of her that my dad had and decided to write to her. They were young soldiers at war, and those letters must have been so precious.
Mary Jo it was a lovely surprise to me when I realized that Dad’s father’s old letter box was actually a writing desk/laptop. I have several wooden boxes containing old letters and I’d never really thought about it much. I have inherited several old boxes constructed for various purposes — card games, and so on. But I saw a photo of Jane Austen’s, and realized this was the kind of thing that a lot of people owned. And that it might make for a fun blog.
And yes, I loved the idea of the hidden perfume inside, to prompt the traveller to think of home and maybe write. *g*
Mary Jo it was a lovely surprise to me when I realized that Dad’s father’s old letter box was actually a writing desk/laptop. I have several wooden boxes containing old letters and I’d never really thought about it much. I have inherited several old boxes constructed for various purposes — card games, and so on. But I saw a photo of Jane Austen’s, and realized this was the kind of thing that a lot of people owned. And that it might make for a fun blog.
And yes, I loved the idea of the hidden perfume inside, to prompt the traveller to think of home and maybe write. *g*
Mary Jo it was a lovely surprise to me when I realized that Dad’s father’s old letter box was actually a writing desk/laptop. I have several wooden boxes containing old letters and I’d never really thought about it much. I have inherited several old boxes constructed for various purposes — card games, and so on. But I saw a photo of Jane Austen’s, and realized this was the kind of thing that a lot of people owned. And that it might make for a fun blog.
And yes, I loved the idea of the hidden perfume inside, to prompt the traveller to think of home and maybe write. *g*
Mary Jo it was a lovely surprise to me when I realized that Dad’s father’s old letter box was actually a writing desk/laptop. I have several wooden boxes containing old letters and I’d never really thought about it much. I have inherited several old boxes constructed for various purposes — card games, and so on. But I saw a photo of Jane Austen’s, and realized this was the kind of thing that a lot of people owned. And that it might make for a fun blog.
And yes, I loved the idea of the hidden perfume inside, to prompt the traveller to think of home and maybe write. *g*
Mary Jo it was a lovely surprise to me when I realized that Dad’s father’s old letter box was actually a writing desk/laptop. I have several wooden boxes containing old letters and I’d never really thought about it much. I have inherited several old boxes constructed for various purposes — card games, and so on. But I saw a photo of Jane Austen’s, and realized this was the kind of thing that a lot of people owned. And that it might make for a fun blog.
And yes, I loved the idea of the hidden perfume inside, to prompt the traveller to think of home and maybe write. *g*
LOL Sue, the only person I know who can use her laptop actually on her lap is a very tall friend, who has very long legs and her thighs work like a table. I have a balsa wood tray that I sit on a pillow or cushion that compensates me for my slanting lap.
LOL Sue, the only person I know who can use her laptop actually on her lap is a very tall friend, who has very long legs and her thighs work like a table. I have a balsa wood tray that I sit on a pillow or cushion that compensates me for my slanting lap.
LOL Sue, the only person I know who can use her laptop actually on her lap is a very tall friend, who has very long legs and her thighs work like a table. I have a balsa wood tray that I sit on a pillow or cushion that compensates me for my slanting lap.
LOL Sue, the only person I know who can use her laptop actually on her lap is a very tall friend, who has very long legs and her thighs work like a table. I have a balsa wood tray that I sit on a pillow or cushion that compensates me for my slanting lap.
LOL Sue, the only person I know who can use her laptop actually on her lap is a very tall friend, who has very long legs and her thighs work like a table. I have a balsa wood tray that I sit on a pillow or cushion that compensates me for my slanting lap.
Thanks, Kareni. My oldest friend — friends since we were 16 — saved a pile of letters I’d sent over the years, especially ones from when I was travelling. I was a prolific writer of letters back in the day, and did a lot of traveling too. I had no idea she’d saved them, until early 2020 when she produced them and announced that she was going to give me one or two at a time, but I had to read them aloud to her first. We did that a few times — of course she produced them in a restaurant, so I had to keep my voice down. It was very funny — things I had no memory of. But then CoVid and Lockdown happened and the letter reading stopped. We might resume it again soon, I hope. It was a lot of fun.
Thanks, Kareni. My oldest friend — friends since we were 16 — saved a pile of letters I’d sent over the years, especially ones from when I was travelling. I was a prolific writer of letters back in the day, and did a lot of traveling too. I had no idea she’d saved them, until early 2020 when she produced them and announced that she was going to give me one or two at a time, but I had to read them aloud to her first. We did that a few times — of course she produced them in a restaurant, so I had to keep my voice down. It was very funny — things I had no memory of. But then CoVid and Lockdown happened and the letter reading stopped. We might resume it again soon, I hope. It was a lot of fun.
Thanks, Kareni. My oldest friend — friends since we were 16 — saved a pile of letters I’d sent over the years, especially ones from when I was travelling. I was a prolific writer of letters back in the day, and did a lot of traveling too. I had no idea she’d saved them, until early 2020 when she produced them and announced that she was going to give me one or two at a time, but I had to read them aloud to her first. We did that a few times — of course she produced them in a restaurant, so I had to keep my voice down. It was very funny — things I had no memory of. But then CoVid and Lockdown happened and the letter reading stopped. We might resume it again soon, I hope. It was a lot of fun.
Thanks, Kareni. My oldest friend — friends since we were 16 — saved a pile of letters I’d sent over the years, especially ones from when I was travelling. I was a prolific writer of letters back in the day, and did a lot of traveling too. I had no idea she’d saved them, until early 2020 when she produced them and announced that she was going to give me one or two at a time, but I had to read them aloud to her first. We did that a few times — of course she produced them in a restaurant, so I had to keep my voice down. It was very funny — things I had no memory of. But then CoVid and Lockdown happened and the letter reading stopped. We might resume it again soon, I hope. It was a lot of fun.
Thanks, Kareni. My oldest friend — friends since we were 16 — saved a pile of letters I’d sent over the years, especially ones from when I was travelling. I was a prolific writer of letters back in the day, and did a lot of traveling too. I had no idea she’d saved them, until early 2020 when she produced them and announced that she was going to give me one or two at a time, but I had to read them aloud to her first. We did that a few times — of course she produced them in a restaurant, so I had to keep my voice down. It was very funny — things I had no memory of. But then CoVid and Lockdown happened and the letter reading stopped. We might resume it again soon, I hope. It was a lot of fun.
Thanks, Christina — they are beautiful I agree. And you can get new ones too, though quite expensive. But wooden ones are also quite heavy, and after a while your legs might go to sleep.
I really should get back to writing real letters. They’re so much more satisfying to send and receive than emails and texts. I only get bills and junk mail in the letter box these days.
Thanks, Christina — they are beautiful I agree. And you can get new ones too, though quite expensive. But wooden ones are also quite heavy, and after a while your legs might go to sleep.
I really should get back to writing real letters. They’re so much more satisfying to send and receive than emails and texts. I only get bills and junk mail in the letter box these days.
Thanks, Christina — they are beautiful I agree. And you can get new ones too, though quite expensive. But wooden ones are also quite heavy, and after a while your legs might go to sleep.
I really should get back to writing real letters. They’re so much more satisfying to send and receive than emails and texts. I only get bills and junk mail in the letter box these days.
Thanks, Christina — they are beautiful I agree. And you can get new ones too, though quite expensive. But wooden ones are also quite heavy, and after a while your legs might go to sleep.
I really should get back to writing real letters. They’re so much more satisfying to send and receive than emails and texts. I only get bills and junk mail in the letter box these days.
Thanks, Christina — they are beautiful I agree. And you can get new ones too, though quite expensive. But wooden ones are also quite heavy, and after a while your legs might go to sleep.
I really should get back to writing real letters. They’re so much more satisfying to send and receive than emails and texts. I only get bills and junk mail in the letter box these days.
Oh Theo, I’m sure it was agony to realize those precious mementoes were irretrievably gone.
I use a pentel pen as well. I did try using a pen with a calligraphy nib, but not for everyday use. In any case I don’t have terribly stylish writing, alas, and even a calligraphy nib doesn’t enhance it enough to look elegant. *g*.
Oh Theo, I’m sure it was agony to realize those precious mementoes were irretrievably gone.
I use a pentel pen as well. I did try using a pen with a calligraphy nib, but not for everyday use. In any case I don’t have terribly stylish writing, alas, and even a calligraphy nib doesn’t enhance it enough to look elegant. *g*.
Oh Theo, I’m sure it was agony to realize those precious mementoes were irretrievably gone.
I use a pentel pen as well. I did try using a pen with a calligraphy nib, but not for everyday use. In any case I don’t have terribly stylish writing, alas, and even a calligraphy nib doesn’t enhance it enough to look elegant. *g*.
Oh Theo, I’m sure it was agony to realize those precious mementoes were irretrievably gone.
I use a pentel pen as well. I did try using a pen with a calligraphy nib, but not for everyday use. In any case I don’t have terribly stylish writing, alas, and even a calligraphy nib doesn’t enhance it enough to look elegant. *g*.
Oh Theo, I’m sure it was agony to realize those precious mementoes were irretrievably gone.
I use a pentel pen as well. I did try using a pen with a calligraphy nib, but not for everyday use. In any case I don’t have terribly stylish writing, alas, and even a calligraphy nib doesn’t enhance it enough to look elegant. *g*.
I don’t have a writing box like the lovely ones above, but I do keep old letters and have done since I realized how much they meant to me, one way or another.
When my oldest brother was stationed in Japan during the Korean War, I thought as a good kid I should write to him, so I did. In school they had told us to write to the soldiers. They were probably stupid kid letters; I put horse pictures I painted in with them. I doubt if he kept them, but I kept his replies – and after he was gone I gave copies to his two daughters, and they seem to have appreciated them.
I also sent copies of letters from my college BFF to her daughters, written before they were born, and they seem to have appreciated them too.
You never know 🙂
I have a keeper box in the closet for important cards and letters from family and friends. I go through it occasionally and weed stuff out. It’s time travel in a plastic box 🙂
I don’t have a writing box like the lovely ones above, but I do keep old letters and have done since I realized how much they meant to me, one way or another.
When my oldest brother was stationed in Japan during the Korean War, I thought as a good kid I should write to him, so I did. In school they had told us to write to the soldiers. They were probably stupid kid letters; I put horse pictures I painted in with them. I doubt if he kept them, but I kept his replies – and after he was gone I gave copies to his two daughters, and they seem to have appreciated them.
I also sent copies of letters from my college BFF to her daughters, written before they were born, and they seem to have appreciated them too.
You never know 🙂
I have a keeper box in the closet for important cards and letters from family and friends. I go through it occasionally and weed stuff out. It’s time travel in a plastic box 🙂
I don’t have a writing box like the lovely ones above, but I do keep old letters and have done since I realized how much they meant to me, one way or another.
When my oldest brother was stationed in Japan during the Korean War, I thought as a good kid I should write to him, so I did. In school they had told us to write to the soldiers. They were probably stupid kid letters; I put horse pictures I painted in with them. I doubt if he kept them, but I kept his replies – and after he was gone I gave copies to his two daughters, and they seem to have appreciated them.
I also sent copies of letters from my college BFF to her daughters, written before they were born, and they seem to have appreciated them too.
You never know 🙂
I have a keeper box in the closet for important cards and letters from family and friends. I go through it occasionally and weed stuff out. It’s time travel in a plastic box 🙂
I don’t have a writing box like the lovely ones above, but I do keep old letters and have done since I realized how much they meant to me, one way or another.
When my oldest brother was stationed in Japan during the Korean War, I thought as a good kid I should write to him, so I did. In school they had told us to write to the soldiers. They were probably stupid kid letters; I put horse pictures I painted in with them. I doubt if he kept them, but I kept his replies – and after he was gone I gave copies to his two daughters, and they seem to have appreciated them.
I also sent copies of letters from my college BFF to her daughters, written before they were born, and they seem to have appreciated them too.
You never know 🙂
I have a keeper box in the closet for important cards and letters from family and friends. I go through it occasionally and weed stuff out. It’s time travel in a plastic box 🙂
I don’t have a writing box like the lovely ones above, but I do keep old letters and have done since I realized how much they meant to me, one way or another.
When my oldest brother was stationed in Japan during the Korean War, I thought as a good kid I should write to him, so I did. In school they had told us to write to the soldiers. They were probably stupid kid letters; I put horse pictures I painted in with them. I doubt if he kept them, but I kept his replies – and after he was gone I gave copies to his two daughters, and they seem to have appreciated them.
I also sent copies of letters from my college BFF to her daughters, written before they were born, and they seem to have appreciated them too.
You never know 🙂
I have a keeper box in the closet for important cards and letters from family and friends. I go through it occasionally and weed stuff out. It’s time travel in a plastic box 🙂
What a fine friend you have, Anne! I hope that you can soon resume your letter reading get togethers.
What a fine friend you have, Anne! I hope that you can soon resume your letter reading get togethers.
What a fine friend you have, Anne! I hope that you can soon resume your letter reading get togethers.
What a fine friend you have, Anne! I hope that you can soon resume your letter reading get togethers.
What a fine friend you have, Anne! I hope that you can soon resume your letter reading get togethers.
Janice, those letters are precious — and I think your brother would have loved the kid ones with horse drawings etc. And his daughters would love having his replies, as your college friend’s daughters.
I have some of my late brother’s letters too — he died when I was 20, so there aren’t many. But they bring him back in an instant. He was very wry and funny. I remember one that was a response to one of my letters and it started, Yes, no, sometimes, and no — which were the answers to the questions I’d asked him, which of course I’d completely forgotten.
Janice, those letters are precious — and I think your brother would have loved the kid ones with horse drawings etc. And his daughters would love having his replies, as your college friend’s daughters.
I have some of my late brother’s letters too — he died when I was 20, so there aren’t many. But they bring him back in an instant. He was very wry and funny. I remember one that was a response to one of my letters and it started, Yes, no, sometimes, and no — which were the answers to the questions I’d asked him, which of course I’d completely forgotten.
Janice, those letters are precious — and I think your brother would have loved the kid ones with horse drawings etc. And his daughters would love having his replies, as your college friend’s daughters.
I have some of my late brother’s letters too — he died when I was 20, so there aren’t many. But they bring him back in an instant. He was very wry and funny. I remember one that was a response to one of my letters and it started, Yes, no, sometimes, and no — which were the answers to the questions I’d asked him, which of course I’d completely forgotten.
Janice, those letters are precious — and I think your brother would have loved the kid ones with horse drawings etc. And his daughters would love having his replies, as your college friend’s daughters.
I have some of my late brother’s letters too — he died when I was 20, so there aren’t many. But they bring him back in an instant. He was very wry and funny. I remember one that was a response to one of my letters and it started, Yes, no, sometimes, and no — which were the answers to the questions I’d asked him, which of course I’d completely forgotten.
Janice, those letters are precious — and I think your brother would have loved the kid ones with horse drawings etc. And his daughters would love having his replies, as your college friend’s daughters.
I have some of my late brother’s letters too — he died when I was 20, so there aren’t many. But they bring him back in an instant. He was very wry and funny. I remember one that was a response to one of my letters and it started, Yes, no, sometimes, and no — which were the answers to the questions I’d asked him, which of course I’d completely forgotten.
This is a great post! Although I don’t have a lap desk or wooden letter box, I have saved several letters and cards over the years. I used a clipboard as my writing desk as a teenager as I wrote to many pen pals. It was a great hobby for an introvert like me. I am going to keep my eye out for a lap desk!
This is a great post! Although I don’t have a lap desk or wooden letter box, I have saved several letters and cards over the years. I used a clipboard as my writing desk as a teenager as I wrote to many pen pals. It was a great hobby for an introvert like me. I am going to keep my eye out for a lap desk!
This is a great post! Although I don’t have a lap desk or wooden letter box, I have saved several letters and cards over the years. I used a clipboard as my writing desk as a teenager as I wrote to many pen pals. It was a great hobby for an introvert like me. I am going to keep my eye out for a lap desk!
This is a great post! Although I don’t have a lap desk or wooden letter box, I have saved several letters and cards over the years. I used a clipboard as my writing desk as a teenager as I wrote to many pen pals. It was a great hobby for an introvert like me. I am going to keep my eye out for a lap desk!
This is a great post! Although I don’t have a lap desk or wooden letter box, I have saved several letters and cards over the years. I used a clipboard as my writing desk as a teenager as I wrote to many pen pals. It was a great hobby for an introvert like me. I am going to keep my eye out for a lap desk!
I love writing letters and have a wonderful selection of fountain pens and inks that I use for letters or just writing in my journal. I have kept all my mothers letters to me since I left home to join the WRENS when I was almost eighteen. Even though my mum passed away, some years ago, having her letters makes me feel that I still have some part of her close by.
I love writing letters and have a wonderful selection of fountain pens and inks that I use for letters or just writing in my journal. I have kept all my mothers letters to me since I left home to join the WRENS when I was almost eighteen. Even though my mum passed away, some years ago, having her letters makes me feel that I still have some part of her close by.
I love writing letters and have a wonderful selection of fountain pens and inks that I use for letters or just writing in my journal. I have kept all my mothers letters to me since I left home to join the WRENS when I was almost eighteen. Even though my mum passed away, some years ago, having her letters makes me feel that I still have some part of her close by.
I love writing letters and have a wonderful selection of fountain pens and inks that I use for letters or just writing in my journal. I have kept all my mothers letters to me since I left home to join the WRENS when I was almost eighteen. Even though my mum passed away, some years ago, having her letters makes me feel that I still have some part of her close by.
I love writing letters and have a wonderful selection of fountain pens and inks that I use for letters or just writing in my journal. I have kept all my mothers letters to me since I left home to join the WRENS when I was almost eighteen. Even though my mum passed away, some years ago, having her letters makes me feel that I still have some part of her close by.
In 1989, my husband and I moved to Germany just ten days after our wedding and we lived there for five years. All wonderful, but it was before the age of the internet, and since overseas phone calls were prohibitively expensive, we wrote letters to stay in touch with loved ones. I kept every letter I received from family and friends and treasure those from my sweet grandparents who have since passed. About five years ago, my father gifted me a box filled with all the letters I wrote to him and my mother during those five years! It was like receiving a diary of our time overseas! I keep them in a small, antique doll’s trunk that belonged to my grandmother…even the stamps are fun to look at!
In 1989, my husband and I moved to Germany just ten days after our wedding and we lived there for five years. All wonderful, but it was before the age of the internet, and since overseas phone calls were prohibitively expensive, we wrote letters to stay in touch with loved ones. I kept every letter I received from family and friends and treasure those from my sweet grandparents who have since passed. About five years ago, my father gifted me a box filled with all the letters I wrote to him and my mother during those five years! It was like receiving a diary of our time overseas! I keep them in a small, antique doll’s trunk that belonged to my grandmother…even the stamps are fun to look at!
In 1989, my husband and I moved to Germany just ten days after our wedding and we lived there for five years. All wonderful, but it was before the age of the internet, and since overseas phone calls were prohibitively expensive, we wrote letters to stay in touch with loved ones. I kept every letter I received from family and friends and treasure those from my sweet grandparents who have since passed. About five years ago, my father gifted me a box filled with all the letters I wrote to him and my mother during those five years! It was like receiving a diary of our time overseas! I keep them in a small, antique doll’s trunk that belonged to my grandmother…even the stamps are fun to look at!
In 1989, my husband and I moved to Germany just ten days after our wedding and we lived there for five years. All wonderful, but it was before the age of the internet, and since overseas phone calls were prohibitively expensive, we wrote letters to stay in touch with loved ones. I kept every letter I received from family and friends and treasure those from my sweet grandparents who have since passed. About five years ago, my father gifted me a box filled with all the letters I wrote to him and my mother during those five years! It was like receiving a diary of our time overseas! I keep them in a small, antique doll’s trunk that belonged to my grandmother…even the stamps are fun to look at!
In 1989, my husband and I moved to Germany just ten days after our wedding and we lived there for five years. All wonderful, but it was before the age of the internet, and since overseas phone calls were prohibitively expensive, we wrote letters to stay in touch with loved ones. I kept every letter I received from family and friends and treasure those from my sweet grandparents who have since passed. About five years ago, my father gifted me a box filled with all the letters I wrote to him and my mother during those five years! It was like receiving a diary of our time overseas! I keep them in a small, antique doll’s trunk that belonged to my grandmother…even the stamps are fun to look at!
I’ve still got all the letters I rec’d from friends when I was in HS and college. I started going through them a few months back but got bogged down doing them.
Years and years ago my mom asked us to give her all the family letters we had written and rec’d so we did which she carefully saved by year. Worked out well when one of my sisters decided to put together a book for her children that was kind of a family history of their doings and sayings as children.
Unfortunately about 2 or 3 years before that the letters she’d written me when I went to camp went by the wayside so…boo hiss.
Two years ago my mom decided to pull all the letters we’d written each other out and make a book. It covered the years 1956 thru 1979. She started with the letters she and my dad wrote to each other when they were both in college.
It was amazing reading back over it to see how prolifically we ALL wrote to each other as we grew up, went to college, etc. I do know we have lots of printed email letters through the 80’s, maybe the 90’s.
As for writing letters, I do blank cards to friends. So not letter length but more than “I hope you are doing well”
I’ve still got all the letters I rec’d from friends when I was in HS and college. I started going through them a few months back but got bogged down doing them.
Years and years ago my mom asked us to give her all the family letters we had written and rec’d so we did which she carefully saved by year. Worked out well when one of my sisters decided to put together a book for her children that was kind of a family history of their doings and sayings as children.
Unfortunately about 2 or 3 years before that the letters she’d written me when I went to camp went by the wayside so…boo hiss.
Two years ago my mom decided to pull all the letters we’d written each other out and make a book. It covered the years 1956 thru 1979. She started with the letters she and my dad wrote to each other when they were both in college.
It was amazing reading back over it to see how prolifically we ALL wrote to each other as we grew up, went to college, etc. I do know we have lots of printed email letters through the 80’s, maybe the 90’s.
As for writing letters, I do blank cards to friends. So not letter length but more than “I hope you are doing well”
I’ve still got all the letters I rec’d from friends when I was in HS and college. I started going through them a few months back but got bogged down doing them.
Years and years ago my mom asked us to give her all the family letters we had written and rec’d so we did which she carefully saved by year. Worked out well when one of my sisters decided to put together a book for her children that was kind of a family history of their doings and sayings as children.
Unfortunately about 2 or 3 years before that the letters she’d written me when I went to camp went by the wayside so…boo hiss.
Two years ago my mom decided to pull all the letters we’d written each other out and make a book. It covered the years 1956 thru 1979. She started with the letters she and my dad wrote to each other when they were both in college.
It was amazing reading back over it to see how prolifically we ALL wrote to each other as we grew up, went to college, etc. I do know we have lots of printed email letters through the 80’s, maybe the 90’s.
As for writing letters, I do blank cards to friends. So not letter length but more than “I hope you are doing well”
I’ve still got all the letters I rec’d from friends when I was in HS and college. I started going through them a few months back but got bogged down doing them.
Years and years ago my mom asked us to give her all the family letters we had written and rec’d so we did which she carefully saved by year. Worked out well when one of my sisters decided to put together a book for her children that was kind of a family history of their doings and sayings as children.
Unfortunately about 2 or 3 years before that the letters she’d written me when I went to camp went by the wayside so…boo hiss.
Two years ago my mom decided to pull all the letters we’d written each other out and make a book. It covered the years 1956 thru 1979. She started with the letters she and my dad wrote to each other when they were both in college.
It was amazing reading back over it to see how prolifically we ALL wrote to each other as we grew up, went to college, etc. I do know we have lots of printed email letters through the 80’s, maybe the 90’s.
As for writing letters, I do blank cards to friends. So not letter length but more than “I hope you are doing well”
I’ve still got all the letters I rec’d from friends when I was in HS and college. I started going through them a few months back but got bogged down doing them.
Years and years ago my mom asked us to give her all the family letters we had written and rec’d so we did which she carefully saved by year. Worked out well when one of my sisters decided to put together a book for her children that was kind of a family history of their doings and sayings as children.
Unfortunately about 2 or 3 years before that the letters she’d written me when I went to camp went by the wayside so…boo hiss.
Two years ago my mom decided to pull all the letters we’d written each other out and make a book. It covered the years 1956 thru 1979. She started with the letters she and my dad wrote to each other when they were both in college.
It was amazing reading back over it to see how prolifically we ALL wrote to each other as we grew up, went to college, etc. I do know we have lots of printed email letters through the 80’s, maybe the 90’s.
As for writing letters, I do blank cards to friends. So not letter length but more than “I hope you are doing well”
There are some lovely stories and memories from people here. I miss writing letters. Growing up I had a few pen pals around the world. Unfortunately they petered out as we got older. I had an Aunt, in England, I always wrote to every few months and always waited eagerly for her replies. She died a long time ago so that was another connection gone.
I have ALWAYS wanted a writing box like Jane Austen had. I saw one once in an auction but it was way too expensive. I haven’t given up the hope of owning one some day. Fingers crossed!!
A very enjoyable post.
There are some lovely stories and memories from people here. I miss writing letters. Growing up I had a few pen pals around the world. Unfortunately they petered out as we got older. I had an Aunt, in England, I always wrote to every few months and always waited eagerly for her replies. She died a long time ago so that was another connection gone.
I have ALWAYS wanted a writing box like Jane Austen had. I saw one once in an auction but it was way too expensive. I haven’t given up the hope of owning one some day. Fingers crossed!!
A very enjoyable post.
There are some lovely stories and memories from people here. I miss writing letters. Growing up I had a few pen pals around the world. Unfortunately they petered out as we got older. I had an Aunt, in England, I always wrote to every few months and always waited eagerly for her replies. She died a long time ago so that was another connection gone.
I have ALWAYS wanted a writing box like Jane Austen had. I saw one once in an auction but it was way too expensive. I haven’t given up the hope of owning one some day. Fingers crossed!!
A very enjoyable post.
There are some lovely stories and memories from people here. I miss writing letters. Growing up I had a few pen pals around the world. Unfortunately they petered out as we got older. I had an Aunt, in England, I always wrote to every few months and always waited eagerly for her replies. She died a long time ago so that was another connection gone.
I have ALWAYS wanted a writing box like Jane Austen had. I saw one once in an auction but it was way too expensive. I haven’t given up the hope of owning one some day. Fingers crossed!!
A very enjoyable post.
There are some lovely stories and memories from people here. I miss writing letters. Growing up I had a few pen pals around the world. Unfortunately they petered out as we got older. I had an Aunt, in England, I always wrote to every few months and always waited eagerly for her replies. She died a long time ago so that was another connection gone.
I have ALWAYS wanted a writing box like Jane Austen had. I saw one once in an auction but it was way too expensive. I haven’t given up the hope of owning one some day. Fingers crossed!!
A very enjoyable post.
During the pandemic, I did some clearing out, and found many letters I had saved, going back to my elementary school days, though college, and European travels, and later. I did mail some of them back to the senders who were old friends and family members, and they were amazed that I still had them. I used to exchange VOLUMINOUS letters with a couple of close friends, often 8 or 10 pages long. I also had many postcards, from all over the world, because I collected them as a child. I kept a few from family members for sentimental reasons, and I actually have sold some of them on eBay. The old postcards of ocean liners(the QE I and the Queen Mary among others) went pretty quickly!
I was very fond of fountain pens when I was young, but they were the type where you would insert a small ink cartridge, instead of refilling from an ink well. I love the flow of the ink. Alas, my letter writing days are over, except for occasional birthday and thank you notes.
During the pandemic, I did some clearing out, and found many letters I had saved, going back to my elementary school days, though college, and European travels, and later. I did mail some of them back to the senders who were old friends and family members, and they were amazed that I still had them. I used to exchange VOLUMINOUS letters with a couple of close friends, often 8 or 10 pages long. I also had many postcards, from all over the world, because I collected them as a child. I kept a few from family members for sentimental reasons, and I actually have sold some of them on eBay. The old postcards of ocean liners(the QE I and the Queen Mary among others) went pretty quickly!
I was very fond of fountain pens when I was young, but they were the type where you would insert a small ink cartridge, instead of refilling from an ink well. I love the flow of the ink. Alas, my letter writing days are over, except for occasional birthday and thank you notes.
During the pandemic, I did some clearing out, and found many letters I had saved, going back to my elementary school days, though college, and European travels, and later. I did mail some of them back to the senders who were old friends and family members, and they were amazed that I still had them. I used to exchange VOLUMINOUS letters with a couple of close friends, often 8 or 10 pages long. I also had many postcards, from all over the world, because I collected them as a child. I kept a few from family members for sentimental reasons, and I actually have sold some of them on eBay. The old postcards of ocean liners(the QE I and the Queen Mary among others) went pretty quickly!
I was very fond of fountain pens when I was young, but they were the type where you would insert a small ink cartridge, instead of refilling from an ink well. I love the flow of the ink. Alas, my letter writing days are over, except for occasional birthday and thank you notes.
During the pandemic, I did some clearing out, and found many letters I had saved, going back to my elementary school days, though college, and European travels, and later. I did mail some of them back to the senders who were old friends and family members, and they were amazed that I still had them. I used to exchange VOLUMINOUS letters with a couple of close friends, often 8 or 10 pages long. I also had many postcards, from all over the world, because I collected them as a child. I kept a few from family members for sentimental reasons, and I actually have sold some of them on eBay. The old postcards of ocean liners(the QE I and the Queen Mary among others) went pretty quickly!
I was very fond of fountain pens when I was young, but they were the type where you would insert a small ink cartridge, instead of refilling from an ink well. I love the flow of the ink. Alas, my letter writing days are over, except for occasional birthday and thank you notes.
During the pandemic, I did some clearing out, and found many letters I had saved, going back to my elementary school days, though college, and European travels, and later. I did mail some of them back to the senders who were old friends and family members, and they were amazed that I still had them. I used to exchange VOLUMINOUS letters with a couple of close friends, often 8 or 10 pages long. I also had many postcards, from all over the world, because I collected them as a child. I kept a few from family members for sentimental reasons, and I actually have sold some of them on eBay. The old postcards of ocean liners(the QE I and the Queen Mary among others) went pretty quickly!
I was very fond of fountain pens when I was young, but they were the type where you would insert a small ink cartridge, instead of refilling from an ink well. I love the flow of the ink. Alas, my letter writing days are over, except for occasional birthday and thank you notes.
You have reminded me of a pen pal in England I once had. She sent me Beatles LPs, I sent her books by Elswyth Thane. At the time the Beatles albums were all chopped up for US release; only the Brits got the real thing 🙂 For her, she couldn’t find Elswyth Thane’s books in her area. We wrote back and forth about other things too, what we were doing, the current events of the day, all that daily life stuff. As you say, the friendship ran its course and today I don’t even remember her name, nor do I have those letters. I would like to see them again just for curiosity’s sake.
You have reminded me of a pen pal in England I once had. She sent me Beatles LPs, I sent her books by Elswyth Thane. At the time the Beatles albums were all chopped up for US release; only the Brits got the real thing 🙂 For her, she couldn’t find Elswyth Thane’s books in her area. We wrote back and forth about other things too, what we were doing, the current events of the day, all that daily life stuff. As you say, the friendship ran its course and today I don’t even remember her name, nor do I have those letters. I would like to see them again just for curiosity’s sake.
You have reminded me of a pen pal in England I once had. She sent me Beatles LPs, I sent her books by Elswyth Thane. At the time the Beatles albums were all chopped up for US release; only the Brits got the real thing 🙂 For her, she couldn’t find Elswyth Thane’s books in her area. We wrote back and forth about other things too, what we were doing, the current events of the day, all that daily life stuff. As you say, the friendship ran its course and today I don’t even remember her name, nor do I have those letters. I would like to see them again just for curiosity’s sake.
You have reminded me of a pen pal in England I once had. She sent me Beatles LPs, I sent her books by Elswyth Thane. At the time the Beatles albums were all chopped up for US release; only the Brits got the real thing 🙂 For her, she couldn’t find Elswyth Thane’s books in her area. We wrote back and forth about other things too, what we were doing, the current events of the day, all that daily life stuff. As you say, the friendship ran its course and today I don’t even remember her name, nor do I have those letters. I would like to see them again just for curiosity’s sake.
You have reminded me of a pen pal in England I once had. She sent me Beatles LPs, I sent her books by Elswyth Thane. At the time the Beatles albums were all chopped up for US release; only the Brits got the real thing 🙂 For her, she couldn’t find Elswyth Thane’s books in her area. We wrote back and forth about other things too, what we were doing, the current events of the day, all that daily life stuff. As you say, the friendship ran its course and today I don’t even remember her name, nor do I have those letters. I would like to see them again just for curiosity’s sake.
I’ve really enjoyed reading all the comments to this post; thanks to all who have shared their own stories.
You can count me as one more who used to use fountain pens. In Australia, it was a rite of passage when one moved to ‘running writing’ (known as cursive to Americans). I used fountain pens through college (US); purple ink was my favorite!
I’ve really enjoyed reading all the comments to this post; thanks to all who have shared their own stories.
You can count me as one more who used to use fountain pens. In Australia, it was a rite of passage when one moved to ‘running writing’ (known as cursive to Americans). I used fountain pens through college (US); purple ink was my favorite!
I’ve really enjoyed reading all the comments to this post; thanks to all who have shared their own stories.
You can count me as one more who used to use fountain pens. In Australia, it was a rite of passage when one moved to ‘running writing’ (known as cursive to Americans). I used fountain pens through college (US); purple ink was my favorite!
I’ve really enjoyed reading all the comments to this post; thanks to all who have shared their own stories.
You can count me as one more who used to use fountain pens. In Australia, it was a rite of passage when one moved to ‘running writing’ (known as cursive to Americans). I used fountain pens through college (US); purple ink was my favorite!
I’ve really enjoyed reading all the comments to this post; thanks to all who have shared their own stories.
You can count me as one more who used to use fountain pens. In Australia, it was a rite of passage when one moved to ‘running writing’ (known as cursive to Americans). I used fountain pens through college (US); purple ink was my favorite!
Maryellen, I used a clipboard too when I was a teen — an old wooden one. (Now I’m wondering whether I still have it. Probably not ) I suspect that was what prompted my sister-in-law to buy me that lovely red leather Italian writing case.
Maryellen, I used a clipboard too when I was a teen — an old wooden one. (Now I’m wondering whether I still have it. Probably not ) I suspect that was what prompted my sister-in-law to buy me that lovely red leather Italian writing case.
Maryellen, I used a clipboard too when I was a teen — an old wooden one. (Now I’m wondering whether I still have it. Probably not ) I suspect that was what prompted my sister-in-law to buy me that lovely red leather Italian writing case.
Maryellen, I used a clipboard too when I was a teen — an old wooden one. (Now I’m wondering whether I still have it. Probably not ) I suspect that was what prompted my sister-in-law to buy me that lovely red leather Italian writing case.
Maryellen, I used a clipboard too when I was a teen — an old wooden one. (Now I’m wondering whether I still have it. Probably not ) I suspect that was what prompted my sister-in-law to buy me that lovely red leather Italian writing case.
What a lovely keepsake to have, Marilyn. Old letters from loved ones are so precious. And I bet rereading those letters bring those times back quite vividly.
What a lovely keepsake to have, Marilyn. Old letters from loved ones are so precious. And I bet rereading those letters bring those times back quite vividly.
What a lovely keepsake to have, Marilyn. Old letters from loved ones are so precious. And I bet rereading those letters bring those times back quite vividly.
What a lovely keepsake to have, Marilyn. Old letters from loved ones are so precious. And I bet rereading those letters bring those times back quite vividly.
What a lovely keepsake to have, Marilyn. Old letters from loved ones are so precious. And I bet rereading those letters bring those times back quite vividly.
How wonderful that your father kept all those letters, Karen, and yes, I can imagine how it would bring back those times to mind. (As with my friend who saved all my letters, and there were events described in them that I’d totally forgotten.)
And how lovely to store them in your little antique dolls house trunk —having a special place to keep them in adds to the pleasure, doesn’t it? I wish you could share the photo here, but type-pad doesn’t stretch that far.
How wonderful that your father kept all those letters, Karen, and yes, I can imagine how it would bring back those times to mind. (As with my friend who saved all my letters, and there were events described in them that I’d totally forgotten.)
And how lovely to store them in your little antique dolls house trunk —having a special place to keep them in adds to the pleasure, doesn’t it? I wish you could share the photo here, but type-pad doesn’t stretch that far.
How wonderful that your father kept all those letters, Karen, and yes, I can imagine how it would bring back those times to mind. (As with my friend who saved all my letters, and there were events described in them that I’d totally forgotten.)
And how lovely to store them in your little antique dolls house trunk —having a special place to keep them in adds to the pleasure, doesn’t it? I wish you could share the photo here, but type-pad doesn’t stretch that far.
How wonderful that your father kept all those letters, Karen, and yes, I can imagine how it would bring back those times to mind. (As with my friend who saved all my letters, and there were events described in them that I’d totally forgotten.)
And how lovely to store them in your little antique dolls house trunk —having a special place to keep them in adds to the pleasure, doesn’t it? I wish you could share the photo here, but type-pad doesn’t stretch that far.
How wonderful that your father kept all those letters, Karen, and yes, I can imagine how it would bring back those times to mind. (As with my friend who saved all my letters, and there were events described in them that I’d totally forgotten.)
And how lovely to store them in your little antique dolls house trunk —having a special place to keep them in adds to the pleasure, doesn’t it? I wish you could share the photo here, but type-pad doesn’t stretch that far.
Vicki, it’s lovely that your family has been so careful to save letters. And to treasure them to share.
As for being prolific, I think when you are away from people close to you, there’s a need to share the details of your life. I was never terribly successful with pen-pals as, thinking back, I think I preferred to know the person I was writing to so I could tailor the letter to them and what we had in common, taking into account their personality and interests and especially their sense of humor. So letters to my brother, my best friend and my parents —even about the same events— would be quite different.
Vicki, it’s lovely that your family has been so careful to save letters. And to treasure them to share.
As for being prolific, I think when you are away from people close to you, there’s a need to share the details of your life. I was never terribly successful with pen-pals as, thinking back, I think I preferred to know the person I was writing to so I could tailor the letter to them and what we had in common, taking into account their personality and interests and especially their sense of humor. So letters to my brother, my best friend and my parents —even about the same events— would be quite different.
Vicki, it’s lovely that your family has been so careful to save letters. And to treasure them to share.
As for being prolific, I think when you are away from people close to you, there’s a need to share the details of your life. I was never terribly successful with pen-pals as, thinking back, I think I preferred to know the person I was writing to so I could tailor the letter to them and what we had in common, taking into account their personality and interests and especially their sense of humor. So letters to my brother, my best friend and my parents —even about the same events— would be quite different.
Vicki, it’s lovely that your family has been so careful to save letters. And to treasure them to share.
As for being prolific, I think when you are away from people close to you, there’s a need to share the details of your life. I was never terribly successful with pen-pals as, thinking back, I think I preferred to know the person I was writing to so I could tailor the letter to them and what we had in common, taking into account their personality and interests and especially their sense of humor. So letters to my brother, my best friend and my parents —even about the same events— would be quite different.
Vicki, it’s lovely that your family has been so careful to save letters. And to treasure them to share.
As for being prolific, I think when you are away from people close to you, there’s a need to share the details of your life. I was never terribly successful with pen-pals as, thinking back, I think I preferred to know the person I was writing to so I could tailor the letter to them and what we had in common, taking into account their personality and interests and especially their sense of humor. So letters to my brother, my best friend and my parents —even about the same events— would be quite different.
Teresa there are some writing boxes on the web — some new ones, too that are quite lovely. As you say, pricey, but you never know.
I miss writing letters too. And getting them. Sometimes I get a bit excited when I find an ordinary envelope with a hand-written address in my letterbox — but it generally turns out to be a differently packaged bill. *g*
Teresa there are some writing boxes on the web — some new ones, too that are quite lovely. As you say, pricey, but you never know.
I miss writing letters too. And getting them. Sometimes I get a bit excited when I find an ordinary envelope with a hand-written address in my letterbox — but it generally turns out to be a differently packaged bill. *g*
Teresa there are some writing boxes on the web — some new ones, too that are quite lovely. As you say, pricey, but you never know.
I miss writing letters too. And getting them. Sometimes I get a bit excited when I find an ordinary envelope with a hand-written address in my letterbox — but it generally turns out to be a differently packaged bill. *g*
Teresa there are some writing boxes on the web — some new ones, too that are quite lovely. As you say, pricey, but you never know.
I miss writing letters too. And getting them. Sometimes I get a bit excited when I find an ordinary envelope with a hand-written address in my letterbox — but it generally turns out to be a differently packaged bill. *g*
Teresa there are some writing boxes on the web — some new ones, too that are quite lovely. As you say, pricey, but you never know.
I miss writing letters too. And getting them. Sometimes I get a bit excited when I find an ordinary envelope with a hand-written address in my letterbox — but it generally turns out to be a differently packaged bill. *g*
Karin, I think quite a few people sorted through their old stuff during the lockdown stages of the pandemic. I would never have thought to sell old postcards though — clever you!
I also used those cartridge fountain pens when I was a teen. For a while I did try the older ones that you filled from a bottle, but I had enough accidents with them that I moved to the cartridge type. I still think writing with fountain pens is lovely. My dad did until they went to live in Malaysia, then he turned to ordinary biros — maybe for climate reasons. I don’t know.
Karin, I think quite a few people sorted through their old stuff during the lockdown stages of the pandemic. I would never have thought to sell old postcards though — clever you!
I also used those cartridge fountain pens when I was a teen. For a while I did try the older ones that you filled from a bottle, but I had enough accidents with them that I moved to the cartridge type. I still think writing with fountain pens is lovely. My dad did until they went to live in Malaysia, then he turned to ordinary biros — maybe for climate reasons. I don’t know.
Karin, I think quite a few people sorted through their old stuff during the lockdown stages of the pandemic. I would never have thought to sell old postcards though — clever you!
I also used those cartridge fountain pens when I was a teen. For a while I did try the older ones that you filled from a bottle, but I had enough accidents with them that I moved to the cartridge type. I still think writing with fountain pens is lovely. My dad did until they went to live in Malaysia, then he turned to ordinary biros — maybe for climate reasons. I don’t know.
Karin, I think quite a few people sorted through their old stuff during the lockdown stages of the pandemic. I would never have thought to sell old postcards though — clever you!
I also used those cartridge fountain pens when I was a teen. For a while I did try the older ones that you filled from a bottle, but I had enough accidents with them that I moved to the cartridge type. I still think writing with fountain pens is lovely. My dad did until they went to live in Malaysia, then he turned to ordinary biros — maybe for climate reasons. I don’t know.
Karin, I think quite a few people sorted through their old stuff during the lockdown stages of the pandemic. I would never have thought to sell old postcards though — clever you!
I also used those cartridge fountain pens when I was a teen. For a while I did try the older ones that you filled from a bottle, but I had enough accidents with them that I moved to the cartridge type. I still think writing with fountain pens is lovely. My dad did until they went to live in Malaysia, then he turned to ordinary biros — maybe for climate reasons. I don’t know.
LOL Kareni — I had a purple phase too.
LOL Kareni — I had a purple phase too.
LOL Kareni — I had a purple phase too.
LOL Kareni — I had a purple phase too.
LOL Kareni — I had a purple phase too.