Sealing Wax, Stationery, and Fountain Pens

I guess that after using fountain pens for a bit with handwritten letters, trying sealing wax was inevitable. I bought a seal and a stick of wax. It's less hassle and works better than I had expected. And it adds a nice touch to a personal letter (pic courtesy of J. Herbin).

Atelier Gargoyle in San Francisco looks to be a premier retailer of wax seal related supplies. The French company J. Herbin makes some of the waxes. Atelier Gargoyle also makes their own wax and claims it to be almost post-office proof. The obvious potential problem being that the post office automation equipment might mangle or destroy a wax seal on an envelope. If you're really concerned, stick the envelope with a wax seal inside another envelope.

Atelier Gargoyle Flexible Sealing Wax: "Atelier Gargoyle Flexible Sealing Wax is composed of natural resins, beeswax, synthetic polymers, pigments for color and essential oils for scent. The synthetic polymers give the wax toughness, tenacity, flexibility and survivability.

You can confidently use Atelier Gargoyle Flexible Sealing Wax on correspondence that will go through today’s automated and mechanized postal systems. Our sealing wax will survive with minimal cracking or breakage. We like to tell people that “Atelier Gargoyle Sealing Wax is bulletproof, and almost Post Office Proof!”"

Why Use Sealing Wax? A little philosophic meandering…: "When you sit down at your desk with your writing paraphernalia and instruments (an act that takes on the mantle of a sacred ritual in the middle and far east), a very great pleasure takes place. Near to hand are pen, ink, paper, seal, and sealing wax, all carefully arranged and positioned with the utmost care for facile use. Agreeable music appropriate to the task at hand can be heard in the background. You are wearing comfortable clothing and sitting in an elegant and sturdy chair. Everything is ready to begin the most pleasant part of the day.

And so you begin to write…"

Misc.:
How to Use Sealing Wax at Atelier Gargoyle
How Sealing Wax is Made at J. Herbin
Sending wax-sealed envelopes thru the mail, A field test
Actual samples of J. Herbin sealing wax sent through the mail
Peal & Stick wax seals?
Wax Works
Seals at Wikipedia
Bespoke Wax Seals (Vatican Desk Seal)

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