How Wax Seals Can Add To The Impact Of A Letter Or Document

Article Written By: Kathryn Dawson

It is tempting to believe that the ways of the old world are nicely nothing more than reminiscences that offer intriguing pictures into the past. However, for so many lovers of history, these ways, archaic as they may seem to be, are actually as applicable as they were then. Not every old way is, of course, but amongst the best examples is the use of wax seals on envelopes, a practice long believed to have lost its value with the advent of sealable envelopes.

Today, seals imprinted in wax are rarely found with even government documentation carrying ink seal imprints from rubber stamps that are manufactured quickly and cost efficiently. It is also used as a crowning effect by calligraphers, with the typical calligraphy set providing the tools needed to create perfectly formed letters but nothing to seal the finished document in a suitably aesthetic fashion.

Quite why a seal printed in a wax pool should have such a big effect comes down to the traditional image that seals enjoy. First and foremost, they have always been associated with power and privilege, with only royalty, government and aristocracy making use of them to depict family coats of arms, official emblems and symbols of a government. Hot wax was poured onto the fold of paper to effectively close the particular document, and the seal was pressed into the wax to confirm the source of the document.

Seals were originally used to ensure security with regards the information contained inside the letter or document, with a broken seal showing that it had been read before reaching the intended receiver. While the wax could be skillfully lifted and resealed using the right methods, the addition of a string with strategically placed knots through the seal made that task even harder.

However, security was not the only reason for a seal. Even today, in some parts of the world, a signature, even of the appropriate authority figure, is not considered sufficient to authenticate a document. A seal of office is vital, which explains why so many stamps or seals can be found on official documentation. Think of the old metaphor, a seal of approval, which in commonly used today to express the positive reaction to or acceptance of a decision, development or plan.

Understandably then, including a seal in wax on any document today achieves two things. Firstly, the fact that it is not used any more lends a mark of distinction to whatever item it is used on. Think of its continued use on university scrolls for graduates, for example, with the parchment itself appearing more remarkable as a result of the added feature.

Secondly, it confirms that a document is authentic. For example, legal documents can have multiple seals imprinted on them to show that they have passed through each of the required departments or stages to ensure legitimacy, while architectural and engineering plans and documents also require seals stamped on them to indicate they have been approved.

Of course, today a seal can be adopted by anyone, though it is rarely seen except on special occasions, such as for weddings, birthdays or other events that would normally demand invitations. The seals used can be elegant initials or intricate images of family significance, while the material of seals themselves can range from light wood to heavy brass or chrome.

While these will appeal to the more discerning amongst us, there are plenty of options open to the artist, who can use wax seals as creative tools for crafts. Calligraphers can complete their elegantly written letter with a seal of office or a family seal. In most cases, a calligraphy set includes a range of nibs and, perhaps, quills but seals must be purchased separately.

However, for those of us who appreciate the art of writing, who like to invest in the high quality paper of a luxury writing set and take pride in penmanship, red wax imprinted with insignia is the perfect finishing touch to enhance the aesthetic quality of the particular correspondence.

About the Author

Kathryn Dawson - top quirky gift stores that offer calligraphy set and writing set.

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