Folded Letters

Hello starman....

Welcome to the club.....

I can't guarantee we'll be able to translate all or even any of them but we have collectors from a good variety of countries and I'm sure most of them would love to see what you've collected. Please show all postal markings.

Welcome to the Stamp Community forum, Starman!



We would be delighted to see some of your folded letters.

welcome Starman,

Come and blow our minds with your folded letters.
Sounds interesting.

Londonbus1...Blow our minds,Starman...get it ? Ok maybe not !

I am taking picture of the letters on to show all the postal marks and I want you all to see the watermarks on the paper.

I built a back light table with a sheet of white milk glass and one in red glass also. Shows the watermarks very well. When I get a group together I post them.

Hard to collect folded letters but I find it like standing back in history to read the letter. The cost of the sending, paper, ink and even pens was not something many could afford. Making 20 cents a month then spend 1 penny for paper or make your own they maybe 2 cents to mail. Letter were a very big deal. I also collect letter openers and wax seals from the era. Hard to imagine envelopes not yet being invented.

And here we are 200 years later .... Where will be in another 100 or 200 years?

never heard this term before folded letter could one of you helpful guys please explain this to me?

starman,
You collections seem very interesting. Please share. Antique letter openers sound neat.

You aren't the actor Robert Hayes from the movie Starman, are you? (sorry couldn't resist) Ducking!

I bet they are very interesting, but I would think them a challenge (albeit a rewarding one) to collect, store/display and protect. I look forward to seeing some .

We love to see pics. We've got a lot of smart people in the SCF (I'm not one of them, by the way) so some of them might be able to help on translation.

so nobody is going to tell me what a folded letter is? I know its a silly question but I need to know lol

Tina,
From my understanding a "folded letter" is just that a letter sent to someone prior to the use of envelopes that has been folded and sealed. It would be addressed on the side facing outward. Many were closed with a wax seal.

thanks stamperdude thats what I thought ,just wanted to make sure,my big laptop has a virus so im unable to post anything sure want to get started on posting some of what I have so I can sell some of this over stock I have more than I need or want LOL

Hi Tina I'll send you a photo of a folded letter tomorrow,I have to take a photo of one as yet so if your still interested I'll email it to you tomorrow.



Edited for smiley

AH yes the Folded Letter
A folded letter is the era before envelopes. In some cases the writers wrote on one side folded letter then wrote delivery instruction on the "Cover". Some letter had a sperate piece of paper folded around the letter then addressed the "Cover". It has been a custom for thousands of years to roll or fold a ltter to keep the contents private. I collect letters with covers.

Paper always in short supply and was made from animal skins, wood fiber, cotton and wool fibers, tree bark and yes STONE. The latter not handled by the USPS.

Russell L. Hawes invented the first commercially successful envelope producing machine in the United States. He was granted patent number 9812 on June 21, 1853. First envelope is thought to be around 1840 in England.

Welcome Starman

I'm certain many of us will be able to help you with your venture.

I am fluent in french and will glad to translate any you have in this language.

Dianne

Welcome Starman. I'm also new and I'd like to tell you that I've found the wonderful folks on this site to be courteous and helpful.

I can translate any Spanish for you; but really old archaic Spanish can be a challenge. Sometimes, I can figure out Portuguese as well.