What I dig about this channel is, you focus on giving glimpses of everyday life in these time periods, rather than just big moments. Before I subbed, I never knew how drastically different food preparation, correspondence & even ingredient selection were from the modern day. People in that age used ingredients that don't even exist anymore. That is humbling to think about, in its own way. Thanks for all the interesting content. It's very much appreciated.
it's also crazy to think how many common things we take for granted were considered luxuries back then. Like having oranges. or running water so you can flush a toilet and not deal with the mess or smell afterwards. Or even email. but that's not so much a luxury as it would have been witchcraft back in the 18th century
I agree with you 100%! I started watching this channel for the cooking episodes, thinking it would be a novel thing to watch an episode or two of. But the way he showed the different ways of cooking, with 18th century tools and such, it got me hooked on the channel!
As a mailman (not US) I handle alot of these with sealing wax, especially around the holidays. No secondary envelope needed. Not even sure if they go through "the machines" as we have manual handling aswell.
In the U.K. we’re told at the Post Office they won’t go through the mail. Also paper and string packages too aren’t allowed. Last week I decorated a parcel for my friend and they refused to accept it unless I stuck an awful plain label over the decor. I had hand stamped the address! Apparently machines read handwriting but my decorated stamping would be illegible 🙄
Part of old-fashined calligraphy techniques was to not rest your hand on the paper if possible, precisely so you could avoid getting ink everywhere. You also hold the pen (quill) a bit further up.
When I was going through 'No mom, I'm a wizard you filthy Muggle' phase of childhood and learned how to write with ink and quill I learned to not put my hand on the paper. Even as a righty, it was too messy to allow the possibility of my hand to smear with ink, especially in Junior High and High school when I had to get from class to class in 5 minutes. I imagine practicing longer than I did helps as well XD Poor lefties. Living in a right handed world.
As a leftie myself, I wonder too. I learned to write with my hand below the writing (after getting gray hands while writing with lead pencils, or blue with 80's gooey ball-roller pens). Pretty bad for the carpian tunnel in the long run though.
@@claudehebert3131 My "Calligraphy for Lefties" book told me to tilt my paper to the right. A simple change that makes a world of difference. My handwriting is now legible. Still not calligraphic.
It’s a year since you posted this, but could I have the name of the group and website or contact? I’ve been looking for a Pen pal to write historic like letters to for some time!
@@Rach1313 yes it’s so difficult! I’m willing to be a pen pal and write letters in quill for fun, if anyone is looking! Send me a message and I’ll send my email ☺️
@@Rach1313 I've been a 'penpal' with a friend now, for about 40 years now, in Germany (I'm in the US). We started as penpals back in 1980 or so. One of my best friendships, I think. I've letters and letters from her, as she does from me. I think it was the last gasp of penpals back then, before computers took over our lives (yes, and made them better, I'm not a Luddite). It is a shame to my way of thinking, but I guess times move on. E-mails just don't have the same 'feel' as receiving an actual letter that you can read over and over, though they are easier to store. :) Sometimes, especially lately, I'll use my fountain pen to write. And while I have quite a bit of sealing wax, that I don't use so much any more. I didn't know about the post office not liking the use of sealing wax. I've a number of sticks that I picked up when I was in Germany. My penpal experience led me to visiting Germany a number of times, and even doing an internship there. So funny - the idea of a penpal is so foreign now, that spell check keeps wanting to correct it.
Brian taught me as a child about 10 years ago at summer camp. He was just as passionate and proper talking to kids as he was on this video. One of those people that really loves his job. I hope he is well.
My dad was born in 1903, and his dad in 1862. My dad's manner of expression in writing was eloquent, and the influence of 19th century writing style came shining through beautifully.
@@richeyrich2203 Formal writing still exists, you know. There will always be formal and informal language, and there always has. It is just that now a lot of informal language has been written down.
Ah, yes. You jiggled loose my memory of asking my mother what kind of wax goes on a ceiling. I had looked, and our ceilings didn't have any. I was imagining either splotches from mending cracks or molded strips around the edges.
I loved the opening to this video where you guys were following him through the house! Kinda give you a feel of what it would be like walking through it yourself.
Frankly, I really like the look of that house, it looks like something me and four friends of mine could put together. (You know, over about a year.) I know it's just not something easily done in this day and age with acquiring the land and permissions, building codes . . .
I must say I admire the fact that your audience is very calm and doesn't pry or exclude anyone. I can come here when the news of the days events or politics get me down and escape for a few minutes. Thank you sir.
I really love this series! The correspondence at the beginning was beautifully drafted, and the on screen chemistry between you and Brian is wonderful; nice to see two people so gleefully sharing their curiosity and expertise! Truly, I hope you two continue to collaberate!
Homestead In The Highlands that it’s a dying art. The fact that it is no longer a useful art, that doesn’t mean it’s dying. We should not lament something that has no use any more than we should lament that horses no longer serve a practical purpose. I don’t think it’s under a resurgence either, there are always people who learn pointless skills for the joy it gives them. Now, you want to have something to wring your hat over, look at how many children are taught useful skills in the kitchen.
@@Mostlyharmless1985 I dont think it's been considered a dying art since it was invented. It took thousands of years for people to learn to read and write. In schools in many developed countries these days the children do not write in books like they used to they have tablets or laptops. They no longer sit down and learn how to use a pen on paper. Handwritten letters are becoming increasingly rare, taken over by text messages, emails, printed text written on a computer and other electronic forms of communication not done using handwritten wording. That's what is meant by writing and sending handwritten letters is a dying art.
Homestead In The Highlands they said the same thing when the Telegraph was invented, and again when the telephone was invented, and yet again when email came around. Like I said, it’s not useful, why learn it? Speaking entirely pragmatically where time to school a child is short and means and methods to record information accurately miles beyond scratching on a piece of paper exist in your pocket, writing serves no purpose. As one with a learning disability and further saddled by being left handed, I did poorly in school, especially writing. In college, where typing was not only preferred but required, my poor grades turned into an appearance on the deans list 4 years in a row. Nor is this notion that children aren’t writing in school. This is simply untrue. That time isn’t wasted in teaching children longhand, a skill that is less and less worthy of attention is not surprising or unexpected. I mean, my schooling didn’t include a single minute of lessons teaching me how to use a slate and chalk.
Ha! Black is my favorite wax to get because I love the way highlighting pens look on the designs I have. Oh well! Hopefully people don’t know much about this tidbit anymore...
A longer version is Tempus Fugit, Momento Mori: Time Flies, Remember Death. As a lefty who uses a fountain pen, it is always interesting to see Brian take a quill in his left hand.
When I was in college I got to see a collection of letters written home by a US Navy officer while at sea in the very early 1800s. Letters showed folds largely consistent with those demonstrated by Mr. Allison around 11:00. Some letters also had writing that was on the back of the folded letter.
I remember my grandmother showing me some stationery she had, including the seal, wax, all of that. I even got to see a notary seal stamper. But writing style for those letters has been lost to time.
I have several wax seals and loads of colors for my wax. I belong to several online letter writing groups and we use wax to seal our letters often. It is a lovely look. I am also a notary, have been for almost 30 years and have had several notary seals over the years.. we don't use them as much now but for special papers I will bring it out. I love using my wax seals the most. You can find loads of different styles and designs online, namely etsy.com
The writing style hasn't ben lost. Millions of people still write in longhand, and many, many of us still write in the same style as they did in the eighteenth century. Very few use quills now, but millions do still use fountain pens, and tens of thousands use steel dip pens. I know it seems as if no one writing in longhand now, that everything is done by computer, but fountain pen companies exist all over the world, as do people who use them.
@@jamesaritchie1 .we were recently told by our visiting granddaughters, that they are not teaching cursive writing in school any more. Hard to believe, but seeing they don't teach typing in high schools, in the computer age, I guess it should not be surprising ! Just stupid.
Back when I was in high school (2010) my AP European History teacher sent each of us a hand written, wax sealed letter when we graduated. One of the best teachers I've ever had.
This has been a wonderful series, and I hope there's more to come. If not, how about a new series about historical books? Print, layout, binding, materials, etc. I love pretty much anything about old documents, written or printed.
Literally this week, I sent my wedding invitations, and all of them had sealing wax. I figured, it is the only time I will be sending this many important letters through the post, I should make it special! Maybe you carried one of mine. If so, thanks!
I started with volunteering for an annual fundraiser for our local museum. We had years with snow, rain, and fog but we developed a commorarderie. As people age and directors come and go the event had changed. I am near the River Raisin National Battlefield Park. I hope one day this site will have a full staff of reenactors.
I've used regular candle wax before and a dime for the stamp. It took me longer to make and age the letter than the campaign lasted but hey that's life sometimes.
I am in the UK and found this by accident as I was looking for wax seal items. It is an very interesting video and well presented. I am learning copperplate script writing and was impressed by the presenters beautiful left-handed script! Our house is 300 years old and we have old vellum ownership deeds for it which are all stamped with red wax seals and ribbons which I treasure. Thanks for listing this - and the extra links!
Your channel is ridiculously good. I can’t get enough of it and I have never been interested in any of the topics. Honestly, your videos are that good.
Thank you SO much for this educational, informative, and fascinating video! My son is going on a special field trip and parents are asked to write our kids letters pretending to be in 1835 and I came across this video while reading up on letters from that time period. Thanks to all the info on this video, not only will I have written the letter imitating the 1835 style but I have also folded the letter and sealed it with wax to truly give it that 1835 vibe!
I bought a wax stamp on Etsy a few years back to stamp fondant circles with my logo as a way to sign my wedding and special occasion cakes. It's such a beautiful way to mark my special cakes!
Fascinating information. Thank you! I really, REALLY, appreciate your channel, guest on this video and you too, John! Much respect and love for your passion and presentation.
Ze Kaiser Snek that’s exactly what signet rings where used for. As a seal of identification which was a good as a signature to use on documents such as deed, wills, and other important things. :)
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and knowledge. For so long, I have been wanting to practice this craft and form of writing. I am excited to start with a family seal that my children (young adults) appreciate and will enjoy using. I sincerely appreciate your time in making these videos. You help resurrect my spirit! With much gratitude, Letty Belmares.
Seeing you two talk about the machines at USPS while dressed like that messed with my brain for a minute there! You both looked very handsome by the way 😉
As someone who spent years scanning many late 18th-19th century letters, this was so interesting and informative! I'd seen so many wafer seals and I had no idea what they were or why they were used instead of wax. Thank you for solving a mystery I didn't know I had!
Lt Aubrey: ‘Hunks always seals with a wafer.’ Me: So that’s what that means! I love this channel. It clarifies so much from O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin, Forrester, Austen, and other period works.
From a website re. Jane Austen, the base Ingredients in Sealing Wafers were Flour & Water; with Egg Whites, Yeast, & Isinglass often added. Colorants ranged from the spice Turmeric, to the poisonous Vermilion (Mercury Sulfide) ! Apparently too, due to the poisons, commercial Wafer makers often sold their Scraps as Rat Poison !
Brian Allison makes the ordinary feel extraordinary! His enthusiasm & knowledge flow effortlessly. May this video be available to generations yet unborn, to enjoy this information as I have today.
I envy Brian his excellent handwriting. I've really been enjoying this elements of writing series. You should do an episode on book binding back in the day. I saw this done in Williamsburg and it's fascinating to watch.
I found this fascinating! Way back in 1969 when I was in college, there was a bookstore on campus that had sealing wax and seals, I fell in love with them and bought several. Still have them too!
That intro is very inspiring and really well done. His handwriting is so legible (to those of us who understand the secret code known as 'cursive'). I want to learn to write like that. My Thai teacher told me my Thai script was "so perfect" she was going to show it to her Thai high school students. Curiously, my English script is just awful.
The opening is lovely. The most civil and genteel art of letter writing in that time period is very much something we could do well to emulate today....
Mostlyharmless1985 Then you are not sensitive to the beautiful nuances of words and their meanings. Poor thing. Thank you for interacting with me today.
Spectacular video, as always. I did research on how Austrian border officials disinfected Ottoman correspondences during plague epidemics around this time and maintaining the integrity of the seal was a primary anxiety. (Spoiler alert: they often used a finely-serrated press, like a waffle iron, to perforate the paper before fumigating it.)
Well aye, you'd think so eh? My Dad (who'd be 93 if he'd lived, bless 'im..) was a southpaw and as a child at school in 30's had his left hand strapped to his desk, forcing him to use his right.
this was practised up till the 1950s/60s. Writing left handed was simply not allowed. It was even sometimes considered that left handed kids were posessed by the devil.
My dad was left-handed and born in 1903, and they didn't bother him about it. I knew a guy born in the early fifties, though, and they would tie his left hand behind his back in school so he wouldn't try to write with it. He still writes with it. lol
@@Mrs.Karen_Walker Not necessarily. I was just pointing out that my dad was born in 1903 and they didn't trouble him about being left-handed. I can't imagine he was an isolated incident.
Thank you for the wonderful video. The old method of sending letter is something that has fascinated me for quite some time. Thanks you for the suggestion to use a padded envelope to protect the seal. I stopped using seals a long time ago, because they would break. I would only seal letters that I planned to hand deliver. Keep the videos coming.
This was so wonderful and fantastically produced, thank you so very much! I truly hope that you’ll continue producing more videos on the 18-19th century!
This was absolutely fascinating. I love your content and tend to watch at least 3 videos back to back. I've nearly exhausted your catalog of videos so seeing the notification for the was super exciting!!
What a brilliant series of videos ....thank you so much. I was so inspired by them i recently bought a nice writing slope and i'm in the process of filling with period accessories.
Great job with the background music. It's really adds to the video, and importantly the volume isn't too loud to drown out your voices so it just accentuates the feel. 😊👍
I can't stop watching the first 2 minutes of the video... The letterbox, the ink bottle, the quill, your handwriting, and the sealing part.. Every part is so satisfying and I'm just admiring your handwriting!
I'd love to see a Renaissance of good writing, penmanship and elegance of language from a more dignified and refined age... And thank you Townsends for bringing history back to life.
What is this type of language called? I love the way they used to write letters, it was so sophisticatedly convoluted. "It is a truth generally acknowledged, that good company and good discourse, are the very sinews of virtue. This being so, I thank you for providing both during your brief sojourn among us (sus). If you had half as much enjoyment in your visit, as we had hosting you, I should esteem that a successful endeavor indeed." 0:54
I have just discovered your channel, and didn't hesitate to subscribe! This is what I call real history, which I think encompasses so much more than wars and political shifts. I look forward to watching all of your videos!
If you want to send out sealed letters, you might consider red HOT GLUE. I was on the board of a history group. We had a yearly conference where we would seal the invitation to about 1000 attendees. As stated, sealing wax is brittle and we found the hot glue was very flexible and would not come off of the paper. The hobby shop where we purchased the hot glue ordered the red color from the factory and arrived in boxes of 100 sticks. It is possible that other colors could be ordered, but we only inquired about red. Also, the standard electric gun made the process of dispensing the glue, very quick and easy to control. To prevent the glue from bonding to the seal we had a silver tray sitting on a bed of ice. 2 metal stamps rested on the tray to chill and were used alternately. The result was a fairly good facsimile to sealing wax, except that it is a matte finish and does not shine like sealing wax. You might try a dab of clear nail polish if the finish is not to your liking. This was about 15 years ago, and although we demonstrated to the local post master that the hot glue was very flexible and adhered well, he insisted that the invitations be placed inside another envelope. Possibly attitudes of the Post Masters have changed now.
I learned quite a lot from this video. Now I’ll look at my seal with more insight. Even folding the envelope brought back childhood memories when we sent letters to classmates for Valentine’s Day using our folded envelopes. I can hardly wait to share with my grandkids. I’m in Tennessee too. 😄 Thanks for sharing a cool video my friend.
By sharing with us a window into the past, nay, a looking glass view into your extraordinarily fantastic life, you've effectively belayed my hands from enacting the regrettable and/or the unthinkable. Thank you. From mine to yours, we wish you love, health, and prosperity. Keep up the wonderful journey, friend!
Writing letters is a lot art, back when my cousin went into basic training we did this whole overly emotional plea about writing each other every day. The plot twist was I actually did it. It's very hard to write someone on a daily basis while still coming up with unique things to say.
To quote Captain Spock "Fascinating". The manner of wording used in the letter, I mean. Is there an online tutorial on replicating the letter writing style from the 1700's and 1800's?
I would recommend simply reading pieces of literature from the time period and taking the time to read them aloud to yourself. In understanding the way people wrote and organised thoughts and expression, you will come to a better understanding of different nuances in written word. Writing and penmanship are organic skills, and are a symbol of your personality and style as an individual. It would be much better for you to develop your own comprehension of the art to an apogee, and then whittle it down in the places most convenient to you; for example, I do not "buckle" the lower-case letter "F" because I find it wastes time. Instead I use a modified diagram that is more akin to a cross than anything else. The problem with mimicry is that if it is not done competently, it insults both the mimicker and the subject. Take the gentlemen in the video as a paradigm for yourself: they have both done exhaustive research into the topics they are passionate about, but you would not fault them for mimicry: Mr. Allison himself is adept at the diction, cadence, intonation and spirit of the time period he specialises in. His easy mastery has given him a confidence of delivery that you will want to avoid fumbling the fashion.
Fascinating ! I never knew “the recipient” paid for delivery. Makes perfect sense, as sender would have no clue as to all what actions would be required to get it to the final destination. I wonder if not done , 1 on 1, end to end, how the fees were handed down/ accounted for... that could be another video !
I'm a new subscriber. A great discovery for me and please keep up the excellent content. I checked out your website am looking to purchase one of your men's shirts to wear here on the Northern California coast.
I had to send out a bunch of wedding invitations (for my sister's wedding) in the mail and not thinking about today's mailing process, I sealed all the envelopes in sealing wax. Much to my disappointment when I got to the post office to mail them out, the post man behind the counter told me I had to pay extra for each envelope because the sealing wax wont go through the modern sorting machines. I didn't tell my sister about it, I just paid the fee and had them mailed. It took all the fun out of having something a little different and formal looking on the envelopes.
That would put a damper on things, but weddings happen so rarely in life, surely it was not that negative of an experience? I'm sure the guests appreciated the thought and effort you put into your family's happy day. I know I would have. ;)
Awesome series guys, thank you Brian and John you have vindicated my obsession with Speedball pens, quills, sealing wax and India ink. I think my interest in calligraphy and paper that I had back in the 70's led to my career repairing graphic arts equipment.
1700's: I don't recognize the letter signature, I'm not taking it.
2000's: I don't recognize the caller, I'm not answering it.
2019: don't talk to me.
2020 Click here to prove you are not a robot
Some things never change
2019: new phone who dis
2019: ignore a number you don't know then google it to see if it's a scam call
What I dig about this channel is, you focus on giving glimpses of everyday life in these time periods, rather than just big moments. Before I subbed, I never knew how drastically different food preparation, correspondence & even ingredient selection were from the modern day. People in that age used ingredients that don't even exist anymore. That is humbling to think about, in its own way.
Thanks for all the interesting content. It's very much appreciated.
Nate Broadus yes yes yes
Amen!
For more insight, read Bill Bryson's book At Home. It goes room by room of the house and gives the history.
it's also crazy to think how many common things we take for granted were considered luxuries back then. Like having oranges. or running water so you can flush a toilet and not deal with the mess or smell afterwards. Or even email. but that's not so much a luxury as it would have been witchcraft back in the 18th century
I agree with you 100%! I started watching this channel for the cooking episodes, thinking it would be a novel thing to watch an episode or two of. But the way he showed the different ways of cooking, with 18th century tools and such, it got me hooked on the channel!
As a mailman (not US) I handle alot of these with sealing wax, especially around the holidays. No secondary envelope needed.
Not even sure if they go through "the machines" as we have manual handling aswell.
thank you for the info
In the U.K. we’re told at the Post Office they won’t go through the mail. Also paper and string packages too aren’t allowed.
Last week I decorated a parcel for my friend and they refused to accept it unless I stuck an awful plain label over the decor.
I had hand stamped the address!
Apparently machines read handwriting but my decorated stamping would be illegible 🙄
@@samantha4130 thats so annoying.
Your name sounds.... scandinavian? Yeah, it's a bit easier to handle mailing if you have a small population.
That’s wonderful for this day and age!
I like this guy. He shows us strings, and sealing wax, and other fancy stuff.
Puff!
You like to puff the magic dragon eh kid? Step out the car 👮🏻♂️
"Today on James Townsend and Son, we're going to visit historic Honah Lee!"
and cabbages and kings
But, alas, no dragons!🐉😂😂👵
Me: I should go to bed
TH-cam: Watch this video about 300 year old letters
Me: Okay
Accurate!!!!
That was me an hour ago.. It all started with how to make portable soup
Its 2am rn 4 me
@@Hot4Thot😂
A left-hander writing with ink and quill? Bold! How many shirt-sleeves did you ruin learning to write properly as a lefty with ink?
Not even a spot of ink on his hand. I'm impressed.
Part of old-fashined calligraphy techniques was to not rest your hand on the paper if possible, precisely so you could avoid getting ink everywhere. You also hold the pen (quill) a bit further up.
When I was going through 'No mom, I'm a wizard you filthy Muggle' phase of childhood and learned how to write with ink and quill I learned to not put my hand on the paper. Even as a righty, it was too messy to allow the possibility of my hand to smear with ink, especially in Junior High and High school when I had to get from class to class in 5 minutes.
I imagine practicing longer than I did helps as well XD
Poor lefties. Living in a right handed world.
As a leftie myself, I wonder too. I learned to write with my hand below the writing (after getting gray hands while writing with lead pencils, or blue with 80's gooey ball-roller pens). Pretty bad for the carpian tunnel in the long run though.
@@claudehebert3131 My "Calligraphy for Lefties" book told me to tilt my paper to the right. A simple change that makes a world of difference. My handwriting is now legible. Still not calligraphic.
My wife belongs to a group that writes letters with fountain pens, They often seal their letters with wax. She has a bunch of colors of wax and seals.
Rick Steele your wife sounds cool.
It’s a year since you posted this, but could I have the name of the group and website or contact? I’ve been looking for a Pen pal to write historic like letters to for some time!
For the life of me I cannot find anyone today who will be a "penpal" anymore.
Such a shame!
@@Rach1313 yes it’s so difficult! I’m willing to be a pen pal and write letters in quill for fun, if anyone is looking! Send me a message and I’ll send my email ☺️
@@Rach1313 I've been a 'penpal' with a friend now, for about 40 years now, in Germany (I'm in the US). We started as penpals back in 1980 or so. One of my best friendships, I think. I've letters and letters from her, as she does from me. I think it was the last gasp of penpals back then, before computers took over our lives (yes, and made them better, I'm not a Luddite). It is a shame to my way of thinking, but I guess times move on. E-mails just don't have the same 'feel' as receiving an actual letter that you can read over and over, though they are easier to store. :) Sometimes, especially lately, I'll use my fountain pen to write. And while I have quite a bit of sealing wax, that I don't use so much any more. I didn't know about the post office not liking the use of sealing wax. I've a number of sticks that I picked up when I was in Germany. My penpal experience led me to visiting Germany a number of times, and even doing an internship there. So funny - the idea of a penpal is so foreign now, that spell check keeps wanting to correct it.
It's 12 AM and I'm watching some dudes talk about old letters.
This is exactly where I should be in life.
Same
Literally me rn
It sure is.
Yep!
its 12am rn for me too lol
edit im typing this at 12am it is still rn
Brian taught me as a child about 10 years ago at summer camp. He was just as passionate and proper talking to kids as he was on this video. One of those people that really loves his job. I hope he is well.
How interesting!
My dad was born in 1903, and his dad in 1862. My dad's manner of expression in writing was eloquent, and the influence of 19th century writing style came shining through beautifully.
All but gone in the world of texting and ticktock
@@richeyrich2203 Formal writing still exists, you know. There will always be formal and informal language, and there always has. It is just that now a lot of informal language has been written down.
"one of my favorite channels on youtube" -Two guys in 18th century garb, in a 18th century house, discussing 18th century letter sealing...
I know, the irony of it all. 😝
rip suspension of disbelief
I SEE DAVID IM ONLY WORTH A WAFER STAMP?? MY GOD I THOUGHT I WAS WORTH THE WAX, DAVID... WHAT HAPPENED TO US DAVID... ..
Is this a reference to a movie or a book?
I'm f***ing dead 😂😂😂
@sz9217 it's a reference to schitts creek... I think
My Lord, Mr. Allison's diction is exquisite.
I am in awe of what once was.
I highly recommend Jonn Maclean if perfect diction is satisfying for you. It is a makeup channel but his English is seamless and so elegant.
It all still exists. There just aren't enough people who look for it.
@@mimiveggie8653 I already follow her and Cathy Hay, they are really encouraging and well mannered. All a creative folk may need in time of distress.
Akis
YA YEET!
Mr Allison should narrate audiobooks and podcasts. His voice, diction and intonation are amazingly soothing.
That intro was awesome! I wouldn't mind Mr. Allison having his own little monthly segment on the channel, covering period writing and papercraft.
Discovering that as a child, puff the magic dragon had a line about SEALING wax, not CEILING wax: PRICELESS.
Shoes and ships and sealing wax; cabbages and kings.
😂😂😂‼
Ah, yes. You jiggled loose my memory of asking my mother what kind of wax goes on a ceiling. I had looked, and our ceilings didn't have any. I was imagining either splotches from mending cracks or molded strips around the edges.
Breanna Brinkerhoff NIIIIICE!!!!
MY EXACT THOUGHTS
I loved the opening to this video where you guys were following him through the house! Kinda give you a feel of what it would be like walking through it yourself.
i was going to send somebody a funny 18century letter and 1 day later this was suggested to me by itself without any input. lol yeehaw
Frankly, I really like the look of that house, it looks like something me and four friends of mine could put together. (You know, over about a year.) I know it's just not something easily done in this day and age with acquiring the land and permissions, building codes . . .
I must say I admire the fact that your audience is very calm and doesn't pry or exclude anyone. I can come here when the news of the days events or politics get me down and escape for a few minutes. Thank you sir.
ROLLING at the nutmeg insert in that letter at the beginning.
Yes, the joke was a-mace-ing.
@@rawhamburgerjoe
Your use of that pun is causing me to gingerly reconsider my life choices.
Mysterious white powder.
@@AZ-kr6ff i thought it was anthrax at first
Yep, it really spiced up his intro
I had no idea that the different color of wax had different meanings. Fascinating!
I really love this series!
The correspondence at the beginning was beautifully drafted, and the on screen chemistry between you and Brian is wonderful; nice to see two people so gleefully sharing their curiosity and expertise!
Truly, I hope you two continue to collaberate!
This Writing Series is an absolute treasure trove, thank you ever so much for creating it!
I love these videos with Brian. Writing is a dying art.
They’ve been saying that ever since writing was invented.
@@Mostlyharmless1985 that writing is a dying art or that its going through a resurgence?
Homestead In The Highlands that it’s a dying art.
The fact that it is no longer a useful art, that doesn’t mean it’s dying.
We should not lament something that has no use any more than we should lament that horses no longer serve a practical purpose.
I don’t think it’s under a resurgence either, there are always people who learn pointless skills for the joy it gives them.
Now, you want to have something to wring your hat over, look at how many children are taught useful skills in the kitchen.
@@Mostlyharmless1985 I dont think it's been considered a dying art since it was invented. It took thousands of years for people to learn to read and write. In schools in many developed countries these days the children do not write in books like they used to they have tablets or laptops. They no longer sit down and learn how to use a pen on paper.
Handwritten letters are becoming increasingly rare, taken over by text messages, emails, printed text written on a computer and other electronic forms of communication not done using handwritten wording. That's what is meant by writing and sending handwritten letters is a dying art.
Homestead In The Highlands they said the same thing when the Telegraph was invented, and again when the telephone was invented, and yet again when email came around.
Like I said, it’s not useful, why learn it? Speaking entirely pragmatically where time to school a child is short and means and methods to record information accurately miles beyond scratching on a piece of paper exist in your pocket, writing serves no purpose.
As one with a learning disability and further saddled by being left handed, I did poorly in school, especially writing. In college, where typing was not only preferred but required, my poor grades turned into an appearance on the deans list 4 years in a row. Nor is this notion that children aren’t writing in school. This is simply untrue. That time isn’t wasted in teaching children longhand, a skill that is less and less worthy of attention is not surprising or unexpected.
I mean, my schooling didn’t include a single minute of lessons teaching me how to use a slate and chalk.
It never occured to me that the color of the wax seal conveys what sort of letter is inside! 😯
Hey, the company you applied for a job responded. Uh oh, black sealing wax.
@@robertthomas5906 hahahaha💀
Ha! Black is my favorite wax to get because I love the way highlighting pens look on the designs I have. Oh well! Hopefully people don’t know much about this tidbit anymore...
I’m trying to work out how I did know that. I did but don’t remember how. Makes sense.
I wonder if green had some type of meaning
Lmao he sent the only thing Townsend can't live without: Nutmeg.
I want to see the opening of the package when it arrives.
Townsend isn't the only one that likes Nutmeg... A number of current Chefs love nutmeg. Some even carry one with them at all times.
@@monkeyship74401 I love nutmeg myself. It's just a running joke on the channel that Townsend puts nutmeg in everything.
@@Lil_refresha Alton Brown (one of those Chefs,) supposedly carrys a nutmeg and a grinder at all times. Try a little in your scrambled eggs. ;)
TheyBLK I thought it was mushroom ketchup that he couldn't live without lol
A longer version is Tempus Fugit, Momento Mori: Time Flies, Remember Death. As a lefty who uses a fountain pen, it is always interesting to see Brian take a quill in his left hand.
When I was in college I got to see a collection of letters written home by a US Navy officer while at sea in the very early 1800s. Letters showed folds largely consistent with those demonstrated by Mr. Allison around 11:00. Some letters also had writing that was on the back of the folded letter.
Love this series. It’s refreshing to see how passionate you both are over something hardly anyone thinks about anymore.
I remember my grandmother showing me some stationery she had, including the seal, wax, all of that. I even got to see a notary seal stamper.
But writing style for those letters has been lost to time.
i still use it
I have several wax seals and loads of colors for my wax. I belong to several online letter writing groups and we use wax to seal our letters often. It is a lovely look. I am also a notary, have been for almost 30 years and have had several notary seals over the years.. we don't use them as much now but for special papers I will bring it out. I love using my wax seals the most. You can find loads of different styles and designs online, namely etsy.com
When I travel for work I write my wife letters in this manner.
The writing style hasn't ben lost. Millions of people still write in longhand, and many, many of us still write in the same style as they did in the eighteenth century.
Very few use quills now, but millions do still use fountain pens, and tens of thousands use steel dip pens.
I know it seems as if no one writing in longhand now, that everything is done by computer, but fountain pen companies exist all over the world, as do people who use them.
@@jamesaritchie1 .we were recently told by our visiting granddaughters, that they are not teaching cursive writing in school any more.
Hard to believe, but seeing they don't teach typing in high schools, in the computer age, I guess it should not be surprising ! Just stupid.
Back when I was in high school (2010) my AP European History teacher sent each of us a hand written, wax sealed letter when we graduated. One of the best teachers I've ever had.
As a leftie, I am awed by the opening penmanship scenes of this video :D
I'm a fellow south paw! I noticed that as well! 👍
Exactly :)
Keepm thinking he'd have ink of the side of his palm lol
@@julesmbc I've marred so many birthday cards at work because we use gel pens, I've clearly a lot to learn :P
@@JagerLange Tilt the page! It looks a little strange but it works - and you have an excuse to spread out all over the place! 😆
This has been a wonderful series, and I hope there's more to come. If not, how about a new series about historical books? Print, layout, binding, materials, etc. I love pretty much anything about old documents, written or printed.
Beaguins That would be an excellent series.
I’m a new post office employee and I delivered a letter with sealing wax the other day.
Connor Pusey cool!! :)
I wonder how often this happens.
Nice.
@@Quackmancer probably related to weddings, surprisingly often
Literally this week, I sent my wedding invitations, and all of them had sealing wax. I figured, it is the only time I will be sending this many important letters through the post, I should make it special! Maybe you carried one of mine. If so, thanks!
I started with volunteering for an annual fundraiser for our local museum. We had years with snow, rain, and fog but we developed a commorarderie. As people age and directors come and go the event had changed. I am near the River Raisin National Battlefield Park. I hope one day this site will have a full staff of reenactors.
I use a melted crayon as sealing wax for props in Dungeons and Dragons XD
I might have to do that, far cheaper. Just like tea used to age paper.
I do the same! This video taught me a new way to seal my "letters" ...
I very your taste in science fiction leans toward time travel, too.
I poop on it.
I've used regular candle wax before and a dime for the stamp. It took me longer to make and age the letter than the campaign lasted but hey that's life sometimes.
I am in the UK and found this by accident as I was looking for wax seal items. It is an very interesting video and well presented. I am learning copperplate script writing and was impressed by the presenters beautiful left-handed script!
Our house is 300 years old and we have old vellum ownership deeds for it which are all stamped with red wax seals and ribbons which I treasure. Thanks for listing this - and the extra links!
Your channel is ridiculously good. I can’t get enough of it and I have never been interested in any of the topics. Honestly, your videos are that good.
Thank you SO much for this educational, informative, and fascinating video! My son is going on a special field trip and parents are asked to write our kids letters pretending to be in 1835 and I came across this video while reading up on letters from that time period. Thanks to all the info on this video, not only will I have written the letter imitating the 1835 style but I have also folded the letter and sealed it with wax to truly give it that 1835 vibe!
I bought a wax stamp on Etsy a few years back to stamp fondant circles with my logo as a way to sign my wedding and special occasion cakes. It's such a beautiful way to mark my special cakes!
Lisa Gaines what a neat idea!
I just poop on it.
Fascinating information. Thank you! I really, REALLY, appreciate your channel, guest on this video and you too, John! Much respect and love for your passion and presentation.
I found a ring that was a seal in the james river in VA was told it was from a ship capt
@@coryobrien8154 yeah right you wish
@@coryobrien8154 just jealous
@@coryobrien8154 I can't believe you would say something as vulgar as that on this channel. How dare you
That ring was likely a Signet which has about the same thing on it just you wouldn’t use it for sealing as wax could get stuck in it.
Ze Kaiser Snek that’s exactly what signet rings where used for. As a seal of identification which was a good as a signature to use on documents such as deed, wills, and other important things. :)
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and knowledge. For so long, I have been wanting to practice this craft and form of writing. I am excited to start with a family seal that my children (young adults) appreciate and will enjoy using. I sincerely appreciate your time in making these videos. You help resurrect my spirit! With much gratitude, Letty Belmares.
Seeing you two talk about the machines at USPS while dressed like that messed with my brain for a minute there! You both looked very handsome by the way 😉
An Gar Cognitive dissonance at its’ finest.
Then they mention TH-cam.
Yeah, when he said "youtube" my brain froze for a sec 🤣
As someone who spent years scanning many late 18th-19th century letters, this was so interesting and informative! I'd seen so many wafer seals and I had no idea what they were or why they were used instead of wax. Thank you for solving a mystery I didn't know I had!
I love this! And how elegant was his opening letter - wow!
Just got my first wax sealing kit! I make greeting cards and thought it'd be a nice fun touch. I'm obsessed! I want all the colours and designs!
Lt Aubrey: ‘Hunks always seals with a wafer.’
Me: So that’s what that means!
I love this channel. It clarifies so much from O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin, Forrester, Austen, and other period works.
Thanks, I never even thought about it!
From a website re. Jane Austen, the base Ingredients in Sealing Wafers were Flour & Water; with Egg Whites, Yeast, & Isinglass often added.
Colorants ranged from the spice Turmeric, to the poisonous Vermilion (Mercury Sulfide) !
Apparently too, due to the poisons, commercial Wafer makers often sold their Scraps as Rat Poison !
These videos are so dang wholesome man. These help with historical writers like myself staying authentic
I have been saving most of this series for rainy days like these.
Thank you very much!
Brand-new subscriber, and though I greatly lament having missed out for several years, I’m pleased to be here now. What a fantastic channel!
It's one of the most decent places on TH-cam..
Brian Allison makes the ordinary feel extraordinary! His enthusiasm & knowledge flow effortlessly. May this video be available to generations yet unborn, to enjoy this information as I have today.
... Guys, thanks for the time and effort put into these shows; it's much appreciated ☺ ...
I envy Brian his excellent handwriting. I've really been enjoying this elements of writing series. You should do an episode on book binding back in the day. I saw this done in Williamsburg and it's fascinating to watch.
I found this fascinating! Way back in 1969 when I was in college, there was a bookstore on campus that had sealing wax and seals, I fell in love with them and bought several. Still have them too!
Calligraphy was a similar hobby from 68 through the 70s. Probably Daniel Boone and then be Bicentennial. That's when I learned.
That intro is very inspiring and really well done. His handwriting is so legible (to those of us who understand the secret code known as 'cursive'). I want to learn to write like that. My Thai teacher told me my Thai script was "so perfect" she was going to show it to her Thai high school students. Curiously, my English script is just awful.
We’ll be the little, old people in nursing homes writing nasty notes in cursive on the bathroom walls about the staff.
Your English script might be awful but your English is excellent.
*Only us 18th century kids will remember this about sending letters*
Kids these days with their books!
Back in the day no one knew how to read and we did just fine!
The opening is lovely. The most civil and genteel art of letter writing in that time period is very much something we could do well to emulate today....
Creatrix Corvus Arts I don’t see the point of using seventeen words to express an idea that could be written in five.
Mostlyharmless1985 Then you are not sensitive to the beautiful nuances of words and their meanings. Poor thing. Thank you for interacting with me today.
Spectacular video, as always. I did research on how Austrian border officials disinfected Ottoman correspondences during plague epidemics around this time and maintaining the integrity of the seal was a primary anxiety. (Spoiler alert: they often used a finely-serrated press, like a waffle iron, to perforate the paper before fumigating it.)
Andrew Kaiser that’s very neat. Thanks for sharing. I love learning tidbits of history and other such things:)
Left handed in the 18th century? Surely he'd have been forced to write right handed.
Well aye, you'd think so eh? My Dad (who'd be 93 if he'd lived, bless 'im..) was a southpaw and as a child at school in 30's had his left hand strapped to his desk, forcing him to use his right.
this was practised up till the 1950s/60s. Writing left handed was simply not allowed. It was even sometimes considered that left handed kids were posessed by the devil.
@@Mrs.Karen_Walker Jeez, that's so weird. And so unfortunate to left handed people.
My dad was left-handed and born in 1903, and they didn't bother him about it. I knew a guy born in the early fifties, though, and they would tie his left hand behind his back in school so he wouldn't try to write with it. He still writes with it. lol
@@Mrs.Karen_Walker Not necessarily. I was just pointing out that my dad was born in 1903 and they didn't trouble him about being left-handed. I can't imagine he was an isolated incident.
Thank you for the wonderful video. The old method of sending letter is something that has fascinated me for quite some time. Thanks you for the suggestion to use a padded envelope to protect the seal. I stopped using seals a long time ago, because they would break. I would only seal letters that I planned to hand deliver. Keep the videos coming.
This was so wonderful and fantastically produced, thank you so very much! I truly hope that you’ll continue producing more videos on the 18-19th century!
This was absolutely fascinating. I love your content and tend to watch at least 3 videos back to back. I've nearly exhausted your catalog of videos so seeing the notification for the was super exciting!!
This video is pure gold, both persons, the background music, letters, quill feathers, ink, seals...
Best recommendation from TH-cam for this month
Loving the full cask of nutmeg line in the letter.
i never expected youtube to just show me a channel dedicated to everyday life in the 18th century but im lovin it, keep it up
Welcome to the channel!
Pretty darned interesting. It amazes me to see how Townsends has broadened its areas ofexploarations.
Thank you Jon. I really loved watching these series. It always make me want to go back in time. Brian is also very knowledgeable.
Lol Imagine today’s USPS finding an 18th century style letter coming through the system
@Justin Y. Me.
@@oldasyouromens same here
Addressed to Marty McFly. Been sitting around the post office for 80 years.
@Justin Y. We met again.
We have very similar tastes it seems.
Lindsey Velveeta I night be sending all correspondence this way now... but with a Disney sticker because they reject sealing wax.
We keep praising Townsends for being the history channel we never got and yet he keeps dropping even higher, more diverse content as we do.
So cool! I love these segments on writing, paper, sealing, etc. Really enjoyable.
What a brilliant series of videos ....thank you so much. I was so inspired by them i recently bought a nice writing slope and i'm in the process of filling with period accessories.
It’s funny, just this morning I watched your original sealing wax video to figure out how it works, and now I get to see this!
... And if you try it one time, you will love it for sure 👌
I have no clue how I ended up here but this is strangely fascinating.
This has been the most interesting series! May we please have more Brian Allison? He is wonderful.
Great job with the background music. It's really adds to the video, and importantly the volume isn't too loud to drown out your voices so it just accentuates the feel. 😊👍
This whole series has been so interesting! Thanks to both of you!
I can't stop watching the first 2 minutes of the video... The letterbox, the ink bottle, the quill, your handwriting, and the sealing part.. Every part is so satisfying and I'm just admiring your handwriting!
I'd love to see a Renaissance of good writing, penmanship and elegance of language from a more dignified and refined age... And thank you Townsends for bringing history back to life.
What is this type of language called? I love the way they used to write letters, it was so sophisticatedly convoluted.
"It is a truth generally acknowledged, that good company and good discourse, are the very sinews of virtue. This being so, I thank you for providing both during your brief sojourn among us (sus). If you had half as much enjoyment in your visit, as we had hosting you, I should esteem that a successful endeavor indeed." 0:54
I love that there is someone out there who knows off the cuff that postage stamps didn't come about until the 1840s.
Strangely enough, that's about when wood-based paper came about.
No stamp? That'll be a penny.
I have just discovered your channel, and didn't hesitate to subscribe! This is what I call real history, which I think encompasses so much more than wars and political shifts. I look forward to watching all of your videos!
If you want to send out sealed letters, you might consider red HOT GLUE. I was on the board of a history group. We had a yearly conference where we would seal the invitation to about 1000 attendees. As stated, sealing wax is brittle and we found the hot glue was very flexible and would not come off of the paper. The hobby shop where we purchased the hot glue ordered the red color from the factory and arrived in boxes of 100 sticks. It is possible that other colors could be ordered, but we only inquired about red. Also, the standard electric gun made the process of dispensing the glue, very quick and easy to control. To prevent the glue from bonding to the seal we had a silver tray sitting on a bed of ice. 2 metal stamps rested on the tray to chill and were used alternately. The result was a fairly good facsimile to sealing wax, except that it is a matte finish and does not shine like sealing wax. You might try a dab of clear nail polish if the finish is not to your liking. This was about 15 years ago, and although we demonstrated to the local post master that the hot glue was very flexible and adhered well, he insisted that the invitations be placed inside another envelope. Possibly attitudes of the Post Masters have changed now.
I learned quite a lot from this video. Now I’ll look at my seal with more insight. Even folding the envelope brought back childhood memories when we sent letters to classmates for Valentine’s Day using our folded envelopes. I can hardly wait to share with my grandkids.
I’m in Tennessee too. 😄
Thanks for sharing a cool video my friend.
Thank you again, I like the cooking videos, but these snapshots of common life are so wonderful
By sharing with us a window into the past, nay, a looking glass view into your extraordinarily fantastic life, you've effectively belayed my hands from enacting the regrettable and/or the unthinkable.
Thank you. From mine to yours, we wish you love, health, and prosperity. Keep up the wonderful journey, friend!
Thank you for these educational videos, such a great topic! This channel is a treasure for history lovers like me!
*me scrolling through TH-cam 3am*
TH-cam recommendations:
“The Dos and Don’ts of sending a letter in the 18th Century”
Thank you Brian, very cool!
Writing letters is a lot art, back when my cousin went into basic training we did this whole overly emotional plea about writing each other every day. The plot twist was I actually did it. It's very hard to write someone on a daily basis while still coming up with unique things to say.
I never thought that I'd ever watch a video about 18th century postage
That’s what this channel does to you
@@farronabysswatcher1881 and it all started with 18th Century Potted Meat
Somehow I knew my life would get here I just didn’t know when.
To quote Captain Spock "Fascinating".
The manner of wording used in the letter, I mean.
Is there an online tutorial on replicating the letter writing style from the 1700's and 1800's?
I would recommend simply reading pieces of literature from the time period and taking the time to read them aloud to yourself. In understanding the way people wrote and organised thoughts and expression, you will come to a better understanding of different nuances in written word.
Writing and penmanship are organic skills, and are a symbol of your personality and style as an individual. It would be much better for you to develop your own comprehension of the art to an apogee, and then whittle it down in the places most convenient to you; for example, I do not "buckle" the lower-case letter "F" because I find it wastes time. Instead I use a modified diagram that is more akin to a cross than anything else.
The problem with mimicry is that if it is not done competently, it insults both the mimicker and the subject. Take the gentlemen in the video as a paradigm for yourself: they have both done exhaustive research into the topics they are passionate about, but you would not fault them for mimicry: Mr. Allison himself is adept at the diction, cadence, intonation and spirit of the time period he specialises in. His easy mastery has given him a confidence of delivery that you will want to avoid fumbling the fashion.
Fascinating ! I never knew “the recipient” paid for delivery. Makes perfect sense, as sender would have no clue as to all what actions would be required to get it to the final destination. I wonder if not done , 1 on 1, end to end, how the fees were handed down/ accounted for... that could be another video !
Watching videos from this channel inspired me to learn a bit more about American history. Started relearning about the Revolution.
I'm a new subscriber. A great discovery for me and please keep up the excellent content. I checked out your website am looking to purchase one of your men's shirts to wear here on the Northern California coast.
Wait til you try the onion rings.
This is a spectacular series of videos, and it makes me want to write more letters!
I had to send out a bunch of wedding invitations (for my sister's wedding) in the mail and not thinking about today's mailing process, I sealed all the envelopes in sealing wax. Much to my disappointment when I got to the post office to mail them out, the post man behind the counter told me I had to pay extra for each envelope because the sealing wax wont go through the modern sorting machines. I didn't tell my sister about it, I just paid the fee and had them mailed.
It took all the fun out of having something a little different and formal looking on the envelopes.
how much was the fee??
@@Gunnarr123abc I don't remember, it was over 10 years ago. The cost of postage has changed since then anyway. Sorry
That would put a damper on things, but weddings happen so rarely in life, surely it was not that negative of an experience?
I'm sure the guests appreciated the thought and effort you put into your family's happy day. I know I would have. ;)
Awesome series guys, thank you Brian and John you have vindicated my obsession with Speedball pens, quills, sealing wax and India ink. I think my interest in calligraphy and paper that I had back in the 70's led to my career repairing graphic arts equipment.
Wow, I learned something new today. Thanks Brian and Jon.
Thank you guys for this episode.. this is a favorite of mine.