But there was something exciting about waiting for a letter to arrive and then finally finding it in the mailbox, and there was something about its having been handwritten or typed, carefully folded and sealed into an envelope and then sent on its way that was more personal than electronic mail.
You could seal a paper letter with a kiss. Or douse it in your favorite perfume. You could imprint the family crest into wax on the envelope or write a P. S. on the back.
A few days ago I read about Project 88, a letter-writing campaign started by Keith Sharon, a journalist for the Orange County Register, who is trying to revive the art of letter writing. I decided to participate, partly because I miss the days when the postal carrier brought something besides junk mail and bills...and partly because I look for opportunities to use my cute little Smith-Corona Corsair Deluxe typewriter.
Here is my letter to Keith, which was mailed via the United States Postal Service on July 18:
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| Letter to Keith Sharon as part of Project 88 |
What a sweet and likeable letter to Keith. I used to write lots of letters when I was younger esp. at high school during the school holidays to girls I was at boarding school with. Receiving a hand-written letter is such a thrill. I wonder if I could sit down long enough to write a letter to someone now? Anyone want me to write them a letter?
ReplyDeleteI was quite the letter writer too. When my first husband was in Viet Nam, I wrote him at least one letter every single day for the entire year he was there.
DeleteOh, there's nothing like a written letter! Handwritten or on an old typewriter. I used to have several penpals way back when, and we always put our pride in our best handwriting and finding great stationary. Even now, I so enjoy those shops specializing in beautiful stationary, I always pop in whenever I see them. I don't buy much, though, I always realize that I don't use it anymore. The only person who still sends me handwritten stuff in the mail is my mum, she always sends beautiful folded cards and I enjoy every little letter.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a girl, I loved beautiful stationery too. I always keep a box of informal personalized folded cards to use instead of "drugstore thank you notes" or to drop short notes to friends occasionally. I could spend a fortune at stationery shops, even though, like you, I don't use it like I used to.
DeleteI agree with rove: nothing like a written letter. I call them real letters. I first loved email and over the pas 10 years or so have become really bored with it and all the auto correct to the wrong word corrections.
ReplyDeleteIt will not be long until we lament of the passing of people knowing how to write whether it is a hand printed or script letter or written anything.
I use fountain pens and I am amazed at people who do not know what they are, even people in their 40s and 50s! Then even less know how to use a fountain pen -- or a typewriter.
Good work on the letter to Keith.
I think you're right about most people, even in their 60s like I am, not knowing how to use a fountain pen. My grandfather always had beautiful pens, and I still have a Bakelite one with matching inkwell, but even by the time I was old enough to use pens in school, our teachers insisted that our parents buy us cartridge pens. I suppose that was the boon of the classroom teacher, since it eliminated all those messy spilled bottles. Even so, I hated to give those up for ball point pens.
DeleteA friend and I were talking the other day about the lack of good penmanship today. I'm sure it's simply not stressed in school today the way it was even 50 years ago.
I enjoyed writing to Keith. Did you get one done?
I love getting letters and cards in the mail. My REAL mailbox never has anything worthwhile (It seems we must have the same postal carrier. My mailbox is full of the same. HA HA!) I have saved many letters over the years and love to go back and read them. I have one from my sister. It was a birthday letter for my 2nd birthday. Love seeing the typed letters on the paper, Dana. So cool that you did this. I have noticed over the last few years that technology has ruined my once decent handwriting. It seems if you don't use it, you can lose it. My handwriting has gotten horrible! I must remedy that and try to write more often.
ReplyDeleteI have kept several examples of my parents' and grandparents' handwriting. I still remember it distinctly, but I want my daughter and my grandsons to know it too. I've noticed my handwriting getting worse too. I chalked it up to age, but I bet you're right that part of the problem is lack of practice. Maybe we all should write more.
DeleteI love this, Dana.
ReplyDeleteI never knew I'd have this much fun typing again. And I never knew I'd meet so many nice people in the Typosphere. I highly recommend that all vintage lovers at least read a few of the blogs of the typing enthusiasts. Who knows? There might be more converts like me. :)
Delete... and who's the pusher now? :D
DeleteThat's ok - it's all in good fun. I'm planning to present my 12-year old nephew with his first typewriter when we go up to Cali in about a month. Hopefully he's as thrilled as he was when I presented him with all of my old Star Wars toys from the 1980's some years back.
I can see now why Ton kept encouraging me to buy a typewriter. It's so cool that you want to share it with other people!
DeleteWhat kind of typewriter are you giving your nephew?
I just picked up a duplicate Montgomery Wards Signature 440T, so I'll be taking them both down and we can type together, then he gets whichever one he likes best (:
DeleteYou sound like a fantastic uncle, and I bet you'll have a great time typing together. My grandsons are already fascinated with my typewriter. I can't wait till they get old enough to learn to use it properly.
DeleteI sent my grandmother a thank you note for some birthday money when I was twelve. Forty years later I found it glued into a dairy she had kept all her life. It was an amazing surprise!
ReplyDeleteHandwritten letters and notes can mean more to people than we know. I'm sure it was really touching to find something that was so dear to your grandmother.
DeleteEven 20 years ago I was much more enamored with writing letters than most of my friends. I am fascinated by the resurgence of letters!
ReplyDeleteIt was a wonderful experience. It had been so long since I had folded a letter correctly that I had to stop and think. I'm hoping to hear back from him.
DeleteSuch a sweet letter. I hope he does reply to you. I feel guilty that I don't write more often - Christmas time and a postcard on holidays is about all I can manage these days. xx
ReplyDeleteI've even stopped sending out Christmas cards. Maybe this will inspire me to correspond more.
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