You're all thinking of the Phantoms badass skull seal, aren't you?

I miss the days when people sealed envelopes with hot wax and a pressed seal. Well, I can't really miss them since I wasn't there, but I see it in movies and I think it's cool.

People still do that. A family friend owns a stationary store that sells wax and seals. I've always wanted one, but it always seemed like such a completely ridiculous thing to be spending money on, when I have so few times that I'm communicating something in an envelope that's not going through the mail. (I'm pretty sure that the wax would melt in a mail truck and get stuck to all the other envelopes.)

You're all thinking of the Phantoms badass skull seal, aren't you?

He he. That was indeed what got me thinking about it again.

Many times a sealed letter is placed inside a traditional letter or manilla envelope.

Also? You need not have an overdone seal. One can put just enough of the special "sealing wax" down to spread under the seal, and not curl up to provide extra bumpyness.

From what I've gathered, the seal with the extra wax splurging up around the outside was mostly for ceremonial and high-falutin' specialness. Most people sealed with a dollop and stamp adequite to the task of sealing the flap.

Sealing wax is generally harder and tougher than say, parafin or candle wax.

At least with sealing wax, you didn't have to lick envelope gum. blecch.

Snooooooooooooow piiiiiiiiiiics! t /cutting edge

P-C, anytime you're linking to anything here (not just tags), the best way to do it is to right click on the post number, and then select "copy shortcut"--when you then paste that shortcut into a post, it tells what post, which poster, and which thread to which you're linking.

Like this: Polter-Cow "Spike's Bitches 21 Gunn Salute" Jan 23, 2005 12:21:53 pm PST

I have been meaning to ask what you asked, sj. Thanks.

Jen, I'm glad you're home and warm. Scott ran into Julia's soccer coach at the supermarket, yesterday. His wife is a nurse, and the hospital had her sleep over, so that she'd be there for her shift. Poor thing.

P-C, anytime you're linking to anything here (not just tags), the best way to do it is to right click on the post number, and then select "copy shortcut"--when you then paste that shortcut into a post, it tells what post, which poster, and which thread to which you're linking.

Yeah, I know about that, but it's kind of unwieldy. I'm a fan of HREFs. I'll just wait until the new tag is displayed here from now on.

Not to worry...I've sort of been exploring tag polyamory of late...you should have plenty to point out. I had all these intentions in re Book group thread and I just keep slumming in the mystery ghetto...maybe when the draft is done in a few weeks. The opus is 180 pages big today...I remember when it was an evil twinkle in my eye. Ion, I think I need to trim my hair again...the top is becoming aggressive.

Also? Unlike candle wax, sealing wax dripped on the skin hurts like a mofo. I made sealed parchment letters as part of Christmas presents one year. Another year I sent a presents nested one inside the next, each sealed with a different stamp from my collecton: turtle, owl, first and last initials, nautilus shell, mushroom, snail, unicorn in captivity (hey, gift, what can I say?), rose. And the wicks in the sealing wax sticks never work right. Someone gave me a pack of sealing wax beads and a tiny wood-handled spoon for melting. I use a small oil lamp to heat the wax in the spoon, and pour the wax directly onto the envelope. With candle flames I was always mixing and spattering candle wax. So now I chip bits off the wax sticks and melt them in the spoon. Much neater, less waste, less frustration with the wick not staying lit long enough to melt enough wax to take the seal, and much less danger of getting spattered with gluey dense foil-powder laden sealing wax.

I still use sealing wax occasionally for a special card or letter. I just put the sealed envelope inside another envelope and write "hand stamp" on the outside.

Jen, I'm so glad you're safe and snug at home. I'd think if your presence had been crucial they'd have taken you up on your offer to stay overnight.