Discover the Lost Art of Folding A Letter! Amazing Things to Do With Your Stationery!

Here is something fun to do with your fountain pen and your stationery: Letter Locking! Use it when you write your next letter. This is an ancient way of keeping your data safe before the Digital Age! This was a style of writing letters that was very popular in the 18th & 19th Centuries! Get your paper and your envelopes and have some fun.
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[@brendaschultz1940]

You need a “bone folder” to make those folds crisp.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks!

[@JefferyHall-ct2tr]

Hello HJ! Really fascinated by this video! Can't get enough of this kind of stuff. It's also fascinating that pre-made envelopes didn't show up until around 1840 and you had to cut them out yourself! Even when they became pre-cut a few years later, it was still "assemble yourself". Endlessly interesting!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks so much! I have a template for cutting envelopes. I should show that sometime soon.

[@BadgersInTheAttic]

We used to do something similar when passing notes in middle school. 😊

[@HemingwayJones]

Love that!

[@cherylclough4309]

This is the first I’ve heard of letterlocking. So interesting. I’ll have to try it. Thanks for the heads up.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnnyragadoo2414]

One more facet of communication from a kinder and gentler age, assuming life without Charmin or pizza delivery is kind and gentle. Hindsight is always best if you squint a little. Life was classy, if not easy. Nice video. Life, stationery, and penmanship. That covers the basics.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks for being here!

[@richardzak2140]

Hello HJ. Very much enjoyed this video. I just love old world traditions. Sometimes I think I was born 100 years too late. Great job. Keep them coming my friend.

[@HemingwayJones]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for watching.

[@sleepawkeen]

richardzak2140, be of good hope...the gentle and genteel practices will return, and much sooner if we practice them. Not the hoop skirts, though. Nope, not those. nor the corsets. Just fountain pens and sitting at the secretary by the window and meandering with my eyes as I select the perfect ink . . . being careful not to bump my cup of morning tea. Thank you for suggesting old world traditions (with central heating and plumbing, very likely).

[@Alliejay-C]

Please remember to press like

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you!

[@davidottman9501]

The postal service may ask additional postage for the uneven thickness of a beautiful wax seal. They're less forgiving than in times past. ! We'll need a super sharp edge on the knife, paper is tough! Thanks for the video!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks for watching!

[@KarlaHuston]

I really enjoyed this video. I’ve watched 3 times. Because of this video, I’ve sent two locked letters to friendpals. And watched another dozen locked letter videos. You could say I’m hooked!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you so much! I hope you enjoyed it. I am certain that you will be excellent at this. Thanks for watching and all the best!

[@mmzeeman]

Always setting new trends. Very cool.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks very much! I try!

[@pmichael73]

I'd not seen the envelope fold before. Thank you!

[@HemingwayJones]

You are so welcome!

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Some fun stuff here! A lot of pen pals don't like the fancy folds, especially if they file letters. But they're lots of fun for special occasions. I've just sent my mother a letter with a fun leaf fold. My graduating senior students (who give me an announcement) get a personal handwritten letter folded in one of several folds including the leaf fold, the hexagon fold, and what I call an epistolary fold: you showed that fold as one of your first examples. Couple a fun ink, a fun pen, and a fun fold, and you have a memorable letter! And you had some fun extras in this video. I like the one that has to be cut open!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks very much, My Friend! I always love to hear from you!

[@lizdelisle1912]

I’ve been using wax seals since the 90’s! It’s my trademark of intimacy!

[@lizdelisle1912]

I didn’t know that this is called letter locking! Without a wax seal, this is how I deliver my rent! A hand written note with payment folded!😸No envelope !

[@HemingwayJones]

Very nice!

[@brucethelen9977]

I don’t write letters my handwriting is terrible (always improving). I love wax sealed letters and the art of calligraphy, and now I have a fountain pen addiction that will likely never end. Love the channel keep up the good fight 🖤🖋️🕯️🌔

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks Bruce for the encouraging words! I’m glad you are here.

[@thomasquinn284]

Sent sealed locked letter with cross writing to a good friend. Used different ink on the cross so she could read the puzzle.

[@HemingwayJones]

Wonderful!

[@JosephDickson]

"S" Hemingway Jones is a Victorian Superman :D

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks so much! Thanks for watching!

[@testinguk_Admin]

This was terrific ... I loved it when you discussed/showed some of these on a previous video but the walkthrough is even better. Here's my vote for a "Level 2" follow-up. Also, would love to see images of old examples. (Im sure I can find myself, but more fun if you add your touch.) Thank you.

[@HemingwayJones]

I’m glad you enjoyed them. Thank you! There was one old example in there, I believe. It’s tough finding license free images of any type.

[@sleepawkeen]

@@HemingwayJones ooops! "License free"? I found some fascinating examples and histories, but glad I didn't post here if that would cause a problem. Please educate me. Thank you.

[@derranstokes8760]

I like the Regency fold with a wax seal - ideal for presenting proposals to wealth management clients - it could become a USP rather than an email containing a PDF.

[@HemingwayJones]

Excellent Idea!

[@sleepawkeen]

I'm wondering at your use of "wealth management" rather than other labels. I'm seeing many 'bank' signs become 'wealth management' locations and I hear that the rainbow currency is a real thing. Changes, more changes, every day.

[@lizpilgrim1]

My new favorite video!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks so much! You are too kind.

[@agathemeherio2258]

Love the Barry Lindon music, though it always makes me a bit sad

[@HemingwayJones]

“Sarabande,” I’ve always loved it. It’s a bit wistful, yet resolute. Thanks!

[@mariaborgvall7350]

I send out locket letters every now and then and they are always well recived. Of course I like the more intricate folds the best but realise the more folds the harder to read so don't endulge in them too often, and not together with a light ink. It's good to plan for the fold before writing to have enough margin for holes and for where the wax seal goes. Using string or paper to lock is probably easier for the recipient if they aren't familiar with letterlocking.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@sleepawkeen]

I'm curious. When you send the letters do the recipients know how to open them so that the letters are read-able?

[@mariaborgvall7350]

@@sleepawkeen I put the wax seal where there is no text on the other side of the paper and trust their problem solving abilities

[@lindawoods4822]

Splendid! I will try each one. Wish me luck!

[@HemingwayJones]

All the best! Have fun with it.

[@patty_la]

Wonderful video!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very much!

[@oldladywithacamera]

This was great. Can't wait to try it. Thanks.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you for watching!

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

Cool stuff! Thanks, HJ.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Very interesting! This reminds me of some fun stationery I used to have years ago that was one sturdy foldable sheet ... pre-printed on one side with beautiful art and lines on the other side for addressing, stamp and return address. They were fun and seemed easier somehow than addressing a separate envelope. I think thru closed either a seal but I can't remember.

[@HemingwayJones]

That sounds amazing! Thanks so much for watching! I am always happy to see you here.

[@kristiw.1823]

Loved learning this technique! I'm not safe enough with sharp objects, to use method 3, but will definitely try the first 2

[@HemingwayJones]

That is definitely a concern! Thanks for watching.

[@scottjansen392]

Beautifully done! I've always wanted to try to make my open envelope s.

[@HemingwayJones]

Wonderful! Good luck with it. If I can pull it off, you can.

[@DWhoLover]

Wonderful video topic! Thank you for the hard work of putting this together.

[@HemingwayJones]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!

[@connieanderson6339]

I really enjoyed this video! I'm going to give letter locking a try.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you so much! I am so glad.

[@archivist17]

Cool!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks very much!

[@roxannemaguire9844]

Thank you so much for sharing this interesting and lovely bit of history, Hemingway!!! I'm really happy to have learned about these techniques! You always have something so worthwhile to offer us ☺️ All of it is very much appreciated. You are starting to feel like a long - time, treasured friend. Thank you. See you further on up the road 🍃✨

[@HemingwayJones]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching and for being here!

[@karenholden4740]

This is a great video HJ I will give letter locking a try. Thanks for your time and skill.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you for watching.

[@dennisplaza2664]

You would benefit from using a whale bone to make your paper creases. So much neater and easier.

[@bellboots]

So much fun! Thanks, HJ and AJ! 😊

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks for watching!

[@mpjs]

Such a nice work of craftsmanship!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very much!

[@wittwittwer1043]

First: As a former heavy-equipment mech, I believe in the adage, "Keep it simple," so I believe the first example is the easiest, and therefore the best. Second: Instead of using your fingers to to press the folds, you should use either a burnishing tool, or a good substitute such as the cap-end of a Sharpie to make the folds in the paper crisp. Thanks for the demonstrations.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks for watching!

[@wolf_ceit_witch]

Funstuff! They would of course used both sides of the paper and then crossed! But that was so cool. Awesome video.

[@HemingwayJones]

That would be fun too!

[@willeel3750]

Very interesting for a writer and artist. How does the USPS handle envelopes with wax seals? This is new and fascinating to me.

[@HemingwayJones]

The post doesn’t like them at all. I always put them inside another envelope. Thanks so much for watching.

[@johnmanuel2980]

HJ, Great lesson of ancient art. Your research was fantastic and the video as well. There are tons of other letter-locking techniques that you can also use. Maybe a Part 2? Keep learning and keep imparting great wisdom and skills.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks for watching, My Friend!

[@taiko7225]

Another way to make letter writing just that much more fun! 💌

[@HemingwayJones]

So true!

[@ClearMind-1752]

Excellent video, thank you HJ.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you!

[@sunnycharacter]

Very cool! I used to have a sealing wax set when I was a mere teen with a French penpal, but I can’t find it. I need to get a new set!

[@paulinemegson8519]

Purchase a bone folder to make your creases crisp. Saves all this rubbing over and over on your creases, getting skin oils all over your paper, making them grubby and wearing your paper. And careful as you say you are, you NEVER cut paper with a blade or an awl in your hands. Use a cutting mat on a table, no exceptions.

[@craft-o-matic399]

@Hemingway Jones Does this work with two pieces of paper if you need your letter to be a little longer? How will this work with customs if you put a scarf or a necklace inside? Thank you so much for these techniques! I love this! Fantastique! I'm going to use my bone folder for my creases because I am the worst at making folds! Lisa

[@mariaborgvall7350]

I have made folds with more than one paper. Depends on the thickness of the paper and the fold how many pages you can do. Many letters of that time were written on much bigger pages so two pages of today's standard pretty much equates to one fold and you just do one lesd. Hope that makes sense. I've folded up to four pages in a lock. Some folds can work as envelopes or parcels so you put additional pages inside. Or little trinkets like a teabag or stamps. Or mini-cookies like I did one time lol

[@craft-o-matic399]

@@mariaborgvall7350 Thank you very much for all your feedback and suggestions! Wonderful! What about sending them internationally?

[@craft-o-matic399]

@@mariaborgvall7350 Probably just to pages on A5 Iroful loose sheet paper.

[@mariaborgvall7350]

@@craft-o-matic399 I only send International, from Sweden. Since our regulations on size and weight are generous (unlike our rate fee - or like it depending on your point of view... ) I don't need to add any extra postage for bulk. I often add a postcard between the wax seal and envelope to minimise the risk of the envelope tearing when it shoots through the sorting mashines. In many countries you need to add postage for bulk or because it might need hand sorting

[@craft-o-matic399]

@@mariaborgvall7350 Wow! Thank you! What an excellent suggestion! Lisa

[@ELECTRONICSANDGADGETS]

Are you using your first initial or last name initial?

[@HemingwayJones]

TJS are my initials.

[@AlejandroPato-Fuego]

Greetings from Northern California its great to text u

[@davidaeldon1214]

Sadly, letters with real wax seals ...when mailed via USPS must pass during their journey up to 3 different automated mechanical machines that electronically read the zip codes scan the envelope. Wax seals often jam the machine, and rip the letter apart. The post office throws out these letters ( and are quite agitated at all of this....unappreciative of any attempt at crafting a beautiful letter) I discoved this when only a percentage of the letters I labored over reached their destination. The use of machinery to move the mail pretty much kills the use of wax seals. Even popping the letter in a padded pouch may not work....if the seal inside is a brittle wax.

[@HemingwayJones]

J Herbin is supple! This is why I advise putting them in other envelopes. Thanks!

[@David.Buckheister]

I often put a wax seal on my penpal envelopes. I had thought of putting one on the letter itself once but thought that would cause a problem for the person opening it. There's not really a good way to open the letter without just tearing it then.

[@mariaborgvall7350]

Old seals were brittle so you would break it to open. But those waxes wouldn't survive our postal service so waxes are bendable and instead tear the paper. Takes planing so you don't have text where the reciver might tear it. An alternative is to lock with string or a piece of paper

[@Alliejay-C]

I did too Debby. How do I get it back?

[@blktauna]

you have to refresh the page

[@Tracywhited2]

Such a lovely thing to receive. I must admit. I do love me a beautiful package. 😜😜

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very much!

[@debbypodgorski4144]

Lost the chat

[@lizpilgrim1]

No chat tonight?😢

[@HemingwayJones]

There was a chat. I put it up as a premiere.

[@lizpilgrim1]

@HemingwayJones I tuned in a bit late (lost track of the time swatching all my Watermsn inks), but the video started from the beginning. I couldn't see the chat for some reason. I will be rewatching the video. I want to try all the methods you demonstrated. I have to buy a seal and wax. I have been meaning to buy for ages, anyway, so now I will. Thanks so much! I really love this video!

[@HemingwayJones]

So sorry.