Comments on: Wax Seals: A History and How-To

By: Mitch

Mitch — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 20:15:18 +0000

I bought a stamp and wax kit from Michaels’ a few years ago and didn’t really know what I was doing other than what I’d seen in the movies. After reading this article, I bought wax and a stamp from letterseals.com. Later, I realized I wasn’t having much success because, like in all things AoM related, you get what you pay for. Other good stores include gouletpens and inknouveau. I bought from letterseals becuase I liked the letter initial stamp they had in stock. Too many other stamps, like those at Michaels’ and some online sellers, aren’t 3-dimensional enough. I think if I wanted a custom design, it would have to be by hand to get a truly good impression rather than the digital look of many “custom” stamps.
Final thought, stationery can be damn expensive. I had the best results just looking at blank wedding invitations/envelopes for a good border and decent paper weight.

By: Biggyrat

Biggyrat — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:24:51 +0000

I have been using a wax seal for years on the love letters I write to my wife.

By: Bren

Bren — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 15:38:11 +0000

Very informative, but I initially clicked through on the headline thinking this was gonna be about wax toilet gaskets. Was slightly disappointed. Maybe next time, Art of Manliness.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 03:27:23 +0000

I enjoyed reading this article. All to often the old-fashioned way of doing things is put to the wayside. I have never used wax seals before, but now I’m growing interested in adding it to my fountain pen and stationary collection.

By: Charlie

Charlie — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:35:18 +0000

Very cool post and thanks for writing it. It’s amazing how these are still used today for upscale stationary.

This is a must-know skill for the modern gentleman.

By: Jeremy Hammond

Jeremy Hammond — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 20:23:50 +0000

“Lucky enough to have a family crest” ???

The United States has a long, and very accessible heraldic heritage. “Family Crest” is a bit of a misnomer, but anyone can have a personal coat of arms.

More info here: http://www.americanheraldry.org/pages/index.php?n=Primer.Page1

Joining the American Heraldry Society – which is very inexpensive – grants you access to a friendly community of heraldry enthusiasts and artists who would help individuals design coats of arms.

By: Jesse

Jesse — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 22:13:19 +0000

I use my great grandfathers seal, and often attach it to the bottom of my letters. I have tried attaching it to the outside of the letters, but that often results in problems. It is an oval. It’s become something of an expectation for people when they get letters to see the closing “By my own hand, and the seal of my ancestors,” (personal correspondence only of course)

By: Ilana

Ilana — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 19:22:42 +0000

I seal all of my letters with wax. I had actually heard the personal letters should *not* use red or black–red is for business correspondence and black is for mourning-related letters.

I use Nostalgic Impressions wax and have had good experiences with it. I got one order that had the problem you mentioned–the wax itself caught fire and dropped onto my envelope–but I told them about it and they sent me a replacement batch that did not suffer from that problem. Maybe you also got some sticks from a defective batch?

By: JMac

JMac — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 07:19:39 +0000

I have always enjoyed finishing my letters with the Wax and Seal. My friends enjoy this just as much, it shows some time and care has gone into the letter. I wanted to take it one step further and I created my own insignia and custom made one through this website http://www.customwaxnseals.com

So for anyone who is interested I would recommend it. Now everyone knows when they have received something from me!

By: Robert

Robert — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 07:00:17 +0000

not the main point of this article but, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FAMILY CREST!!!!!!
each person should have a unique crest. while there are some crest that are attached to certain stations or positions, the presidential seal or a baron’s crest, those are not a person’s crest but that of office. If you find out you are a direct descendant of some famous person in history with a crest, unless you are the first born son of the first born son of the first born son and so on back to that person you have no right to the crest, and if you use it anyone who knows heraldry will know you have no idea what you are doing.