Sealing Wax Color

[ismellarat]

Is there any significance to the colors of sealing wax? Like, the significance of rose color, but with sealing waxes. Maybe not significance, but hidden meaning?

 

Thanks

[tfwall]

Traditionally, the colours meant something depending on the country of origin. Now, they are pretty much all fair game for private correspondence.

[ismellarat]

Hmm... Okay Thanks If anyone has anymore input, I would be glad to hear it

[Ondina]

Pretty much what Chemyst has said. Only personal codes apply. Traditionally is bright red, but for special occasions, matching or complementary colors are used -weddings, events..- You can't go wrong. Enjoy.

[Passion]

Purple used to be the color for Royalty. I can't actually remember anything else

I like to use a color that works well with the seal I'm using.

[ismellarat]

Thanks I just wanted to avoid a faux pas.

[superbleu]

I didn't know there were specific colors for specific purposes.

 

Anyone have suggestions on best ways to melt the wax? I tried using a lighter, but that left black carbon smutz in the ink.

I also tried a candle, but this dripped it's own wax along with the sealing wax.

I'm batting 0 for 2 so far.

[tfwall]

I didn't know there were specific colors for specific purposes.

 

Anyone have suggestions on best ways to melt the wax? I tried using a lighter, but that left black carbon smutz in the ink.

I also tried a candle, but this dripped it's own wax along with the sealing wax.

I'm batting 0 for 2 so far.

 

Butane kitchen torch, especially if you are using wickless sticks. Check out the info that Atelier Gargoyle has on their website.

[JHeels]

+1 on the butane torch, they're often found labeled as pastry torches and table cigar lighters. I have a pen pal who, at times, uses a melting spoon over an alcohol burner.

[all my hues]

+1 on the butane torch, they're often found labeled as pastry torches and table cigar lighters. I have a pen pal who, at times, uses a melting spoon over an alcohol burner.

 

 

I definitely recommend the melting spoon; I have a little melting pot, myself that stands above a candle. That way I can do many seals (read: 5) at once. It was only $9.99 at www.shakespearesden.com They have melting spoons there too!

[Chris]

Wow - never seen sealing wax in any colour other than red, and that is none too common in stationers these days.

Chris

[yachtsilverswan]

Black sealing wax was used to notify the family of the death of a military serviceman. The black seal sped the letter through the postal system.

 

Red, blue, green, yellow, black, and white sealing waxes have been available for hundreds of years. Most seals - royal, noble, military, and ecclesiastical were red. Other than the black wax, I do not know the significance of the other available colors, though I have read that the British assigned different color seals for different types of documents.

 

If you learn the significance of the other colors, please share your findings with me.

Edited August 11, 2009 by yachtsilverswan

[chud]

I tend to use various colors more or less on a whim. Sometimes I'll pick something that matches (more or less) the ink I used in that particular letter, though not always. I don't intend any particular significance when I select colors, and I don't infer any in those that I get...

[ismellarat]

Sounds like it's time for an experiment. Once school starts up and so does my income I will send out 2 identical letters. Same amount of pages, same paper, same envelope, same stamps, addresses computer printed identically, and both sent to the same place. The only difference? One is sealed with red, and one sealed with black. Curious if they will arrive on the same day.

[Passion]

Post your findings, I'm as curious as you are

[yachtsilverswan]

Sounds like it's time for an experiment. Once school starts up and so does my income I will send out 2 identical letters. Same amount of pages, same paper, same envelope, same stamps, addresses computer printed identically, and both sent to the same place. The only difference? One is sealed with red, and one sealed with black. Curious if they will arrive on the same day.

 

 

I doubt anyone is still alive in the US Postal Service who remembers the significance of black sealing wax. That was an eighteenth and nineteenth century tradition.

 

For what it's worth, there was also Mourning Stationery - each sheet was trimmed with a black edge. Mourning Stationery was used by a widow or widower during the first year after the death of their spouse. It was also used by all nobles of a Royal House for a year after the death of their Sovereign (or until the Coronation [not Accession] of a new Monarch, whichever came first). I still see black edged stationery for sale in shops, but there is no suggestion on the packaging of the design's traditional purpose. Mrs. Kennedy penned handwritten acknowledgements of condolences on hastily printed White House Mourning Stationery just after President Kennedy's Assassination. Mourning Stationery was aboard Air Force One when President Bush tasked the aircraft to ferry President Reagan's casket and family to Washington and back to California for President Reagan's State Funeral.

Edited August 13, 2009 by yachtsilverswan

[ismellarat]

It would still be fun to see though.

[Ondina]

Black edged sheets and envelopes have been the way to send condolences for centuries. Widowers/widows normally reply with a card also riveted in black. Never heard of black sealing for that purpose, though, very interesting, yatchsilverman, thanks for the information.

[Kaycee]

From the NY Times 1893. Symbolism of Sealing Wax

 

Hope the attachment comes through.

109272330.pdf

[yachtsilverswan]

From the NY Times 1893. Symbolism of Sealing Wax

 

Hope the attachment comes through.

 

Excellent work Kaycee!

 

Interesting to note that Red wax is used for business; Ruby wax for engaged lovers - I guess the French sometimes have trouble discerning the difference between love and commerce.