Presented by BOB VAN CLEEF of the North River Railway SENDING A LETTER 1776 STYLE – (Envelopes & Seals)

ENVELOPES Delivering a letter for any distance was very expensive. Envelopes were unknown or considered a luxury. In either case they were simply not available at first. Also, the cost of mail delivery was by the sheet, not by weight. The Letter itself was folded and became the envelope itself. The creases that appear here show how the letter was folded. The Red mark on the center bottom was from sealing wax. Look carefully to see the printing on the reverse side The printing on the left would be covered when folded.

ENVELOPES Sometimes in big cities and towns the store would cut and pre-fold paper for letters. It was then sealed with wax, sealed to keep it closed and handed to someone who was going to the desired direction. A few of the fancier envelope folds

ORIGAMI FOLD SYMBOLS If

ONE COMMON FOLD

POCKET BOOK

DOUBLE LOCK

PEPI FOLD

TWO BY ONE

s P P

s P P

For More Information… Once Upon a Time A background history of paper making in the colonieshttp:// Home Made Black Ink: - Seven steps to make walnut ink on a home stove

RESOURCES Medieval Manuscript Manual - All about medieval period writing. Good background for Colonial writing. The Rittenhouse Mill - +making&source=bl&ots=zzey-JNI1- &sig=fhfjVXZcpuj2a3rTi_rx7lpdiO8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=v6GJVb2vH8HJsAXgoYDACw&ved=0CDAQ6 AEwAzgK#v=onepage&q=early%20american%20paper%20making&f=false All about the first American paper mill in Pennsylvania. A complete description of the workings of a paper mill. INK RECIPIES - various ink recipes for colored ink plus a list of hazardous materials you might find INK STICKS - information about ink sticks Folding Envelope and Letter - A good basic source for folding letters and envelopes Postal History of the United States A short history of the early postal service

This presentation has been brought to you by the North River Railway Bob Van Cleef 46 Broadway Coventry, CT THE END