The Sticky Matter of Sealing Wax - Random Bits of Fascination
 
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The Sticky Matter of Sealing Wax — 3 Comments

  1. Red Lead? Isn’t that poisonous? Imagine some poor clerk or servant who had the unfortunate job of licking the seals for the envelopes of an event or announcement. This could have been a dangerous job if there were many seals to lick or moisten.

    I think it was a Seinfeld episode where George’s fiancée died from an allergic reaction when she licked the glue on the envelopes of their wedding announcement. Thanks for sharing. You always have interesting posts that give your readers a glimpse into the past.

  2. I was able to order a wax seal of my family’s crest on Amazon for less than $30; I gave one as a gift to my oldest son and ordered one for me as well. My kids also gave me a beautiful set of six brass seals (compass, heart, feather quill, bee, “Thank You,” tree) that screw onto a wooden handle. I have to add an extra ounce stamp when I mail them and I have to hand them to the postmistress so that they don’t put them through the machine as sealing wax can really gum up our modern postal system. 😉

    I use wax seals mostly for birthday and other celebratory cards that I hand to people. I use the wax beads melted in a little brass spoon and laid in a circular wooden stand of sorts with a circle in the middle for the spoon to rest in over a tea light candle. I stir the beads with a toothpick just until thoroughly melted, pour the melted wax onto the back of the envelope (which I’ve already sealed in the usual manner) into a rough circular shape, and then press the seal into the warm wax, letting it remain there while I wipe the excess wax out of the brass spoon. Then I lift the seal and let it cool and harden before giving it the sealed card to whomever or taking it to the post office.

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