I’ve been slowly trying different types of sealing wax over the past few months. I’m in search of that perfect sealing wax that will allow me to seal the outside of the envelope AND have it stay in tact throughout transit. I know several of my correspondents swear by the colored glue sticks for use in glue guns.
But, there’s something about traditional sealing wax. Something about the experience. Something about the fact that this is a component of letter writing that hasn’t changed for years and years and years.
And years.
My Mom picked up the green sealing wax in these photos for me while on vacation in California. What a great souvenir, right?
It’s made by Freund Mayer. Here’s a link to the Freund Mayer website, but it’s wholesale only.
It’s a nice wax. It does the job. The color is great. It stuck a bit to my brass seal, but not so bad that I couldn’t use it.
It came with a little paper full of information on the history of wax seals, how to use them and even a little on etiquette too. Here’s what the seal looked like after cooling:
Mom also got me a little brass seal with the letter ‘N’ to make a complete set. Here’s a different angle of the seal.
And here’s the brass stamp I used. I want to mention something here. If you are someone that looks online for wax seals, take note. If a wax seal looks like below and is labeled as being ‘antique’ or ‘vintage,’ make sure it really is. The one below is brand spanking new and will cost you just a few dollars—so don’t pay more than that! ;)
I don’t yet have a favorite sealing wax, and I think I know why. For some letter writers, the wax seal is more utilitarian–it’s about sealing your letter with wax and marking it with a stamp.
For me, it’s about the whole letter-writing deal. I like to spend a few extra moments with a letter I’ve just written. I like to prepare something lovely. I like the steps involved in my process.
Taking time to write a letter is such a luxury and wax seals are, well, luxurious. For me, it’s really no difference between the wax beads or the sticks, it’s just that I’m doing it.
I’d really like some feedback from all of you—what’s your take on wax seals? Do you have a favorite brand/type?
Hello! My name is Cole. Simplicity Embellished is my special place. I talk a lot about writing letters, etegami, gardening and yoga. Please sign up for Sunday Tea (comes to you via email), subscribe using your feed reader of choice and don't hesitate to say hello on Twitter or Facebook either.
Wonderful! Just like always! I really enjoyed reading and looking through the photos. I have experimented with dental waxs and castings that I have made personal. Why dental wax? Well, I had to play with the wax to sculpture teeth during my dental education and well the idea to make a seal that looks vintage and use it on the letter was stuck in my head for quite a while. I discovered two things: 1) dental vax is rather sticky and it can soak through some papers – thus ruining the whole letter that’s inside the envelope. 2) sometimes the waxed pattern chips off easily. That’s why I made a control sample with a sealing wax that I bought from a vintage shop – and wow, it was worth every penny that I gave for it – sealed it completely, didn’t break even if I tried to break it, and didn’t stick. Overall two thumbs up. The only thing that was wrong with the picture was that when I went back to buy some more, they told me that they are not going to import it any more. It was made in the Czech Republic, I don’t really remember the name of the company, but it was really great!
Raia, I love inventive re-purposing of items–even if they don’t always work perfectly.
Finding a perfect sealing wax is difficult. I still haven’t found ‘the one.’
I haven’t used sealing wax in years but always thought it added a classy touch to letters! Hope I get a letter from you with a seal. (hint, hint)
B- your wish has been granted. ;)
A sealed envie went out to you last week. Let’s hope the seal stays intact! I used the green sealing wax featured in this post!
I got your letter but no seal. :o( boo hoo
Maybe the slickness of the envie didn’t hold it.
Barb, I am bummed. I even taped over the seal.
Anyway, I had an interested conversation with a friend at the post office. I am planning on posting about it on here soon. Apparently, ‘hand canceling’ doesn’t actually exist anymore. :(
Cole, but it does. Our postal clerks do it when ever I ask them to. Have you gotten mail from me with a wax seal? I sent a batch of letters several days ago, and almost all bore seals.
A sealed envie went out to you last week. Let’s hope the seal stays intact! I used the green sealing wax
You can add me to the list of persons who swear by the hot glue method. By the same token, I respect the more traditional choice you have made. Over at the Fountain Pen Network, I was reading just yesterday that many there who use traditional wax employ a creme brulee torch for the melting task. When the wax has a wick, I suppose that is not strictly necessary. For other options like the J. Herbin supple wax, it may be very useful.
Best of luck finding what works for you!
Hi Lee! Welcome to Simplicity Embellished.
You know, I want to try the hot glue method. I realize it’s about the same amount of work as far as the seal goes. There’s just something, I don’t know, about the wax that I don’t want to abandon.
The creme brulee torch method sounds like it would be very effective (and quicker too!). I would love to see that in action.
See you over on FPN! (I’m ‘Doris’)
-Cole
I always use wax seals. I prefer sticks of supple wax like because I can use a variety of colors but when I need to make a lot of seals I use wax made for the glue gun. It’s real wax and a time saver but not the same experience as slowly melting wax over an envelope. I have a seal with my initial (a gift from a childhood penpal) but when I use the glue gun to make several at a time I use coins, either a nickel with Thomas Jefferson or a Canadian coin with the Queen–my English friend appreciated that one.
If you haven’t discovered them already, Letterseals.com is a good source for wax. They have all kinds, colors and paraphernalia.
The wonderful Mrs. Duffy! I was admiring your G’s and Y’s in your latest blog post as it came up in my Google reader. I am quite fond of your descenders. ;)
Simplicity Embellished readers take note! If you don’t have a wax seal stamp—use a coin! Any coin! What a brilliant idea. Thanks for sharing.
-C
Another great idea for anyone who does work with leather or has a family member in that hobby is to use leather stamps. There are many attractive designs. The down side is the same as with the coin — no handle.
I use both the traditional wax sticks (Stuart Houghton Limited) and the “plastic” wax seals (I bought mine from Nostalgic Impressions, a dangerous shop for me to visit I assure you) – Australia Post was a bit happier with the latter on an envelope as it does not always have to be hand-cancelled, but if that worries anyone I just put my seal on the letter and close the envelope in the usual manner. I too love the look of a seal, the experience, but opted to try the ‘new improved’ method for mass mailings of a formal nature i.e. invitations to our ten year wedding anniversary party.
Kathleen, I feel like Nostalgic Impressions is a dangerous shop too ;)
Cole,
Supple wax survives best through the mail system – the real sealing wax was intended to be brittle, so that it was easy to see if it had been tampered with (it is shellac based).
Stuart Houghton makes a very nice mailable wax. J Herbin makes a nice variety of colours in their ‘souple’ line. My favourite wax comes from Atelier Gargoyle ( http://www.ateliergargoyle.com/pages/waxes/agsealingwax.html ). They also sell some gorgeous seals – many reproductions of vintage seals.
Atelier Gargoyle also has some great information and instructions for using sealing wax. I believe J Herbin sealing wax page still links to them. Ward and Linnea are fabulous to deal with.
The only time I have had traditional wax survive, was when I had it in a padded envelope.
Great comment Paul.
And your delightful package was in my mailbox yesterday–thank you! I’m in the midst of a 5-day yoga training workshop so I brought it along with me.
I am going to check out the Atelier Gargoyle site now–anyone else have experience with any of the brands mentioned in this conversation? Be interested to hear if several of you swear by the same brand.
I love sealing wax and have used it often when the post office did more hand sorting. Lately, everything has been shoved in the machine and it’s really hard on the wax seals – that’s why I will (sometimes) use the seal on the letter inside the envelope.
I also use a clear or embossing type ink on the “stamp” to keep the wax from building up inside the little crevices.
Cole, I’ve found Herbin to have the best wax, so far. It’s supple and hasn’t come off during mailing. Today I had a letter returned and the less expensive wax I used for the seal had come off. I think I’m going to try Paul’s recommendation for ateliergargoyle. :) It never hurts to try other products.
Good luck. Let us know if you find something better than Herbin’s French wax.
Doesn’t anyone wipe their seal with a little oil before using? It keeps the wax from sticking to the metal. I forgot to do the same with my little wax melting spoon . . . Regrets, regrets, regrets.
Freund Meyar does not make the sealing wax, most wax is made by http://www.kingswax.com
I am another sealing wax addict and use only the glue gun style, this company makes the glue gun as well as breakable wax