Victorian pen pals

Pens: Dip pen, Sailor 1911 fountain pen

Sealing: red sealing wax beads, sealing stamp

Paper: G. Lalo Vergé de France blank 100g laid ivory paper

Ink: Diamine "Early Grey," Noodler's "The Heart of Darkness"

Methods: The handwriting style displayed is copperplate script, used during the Victorian era. Dip pens and fountain pens were both used during the Victorian era. The fountain pen was invented in 1827.

Inspiration: My husband and I were inspired to write Victorian-style pen pal letters to each other after watching "Bridgerton" on Netflix. We both collect fountain pens as a hobby and enjoy writing letters to family and friends. To keep our marriage fun while stuck indoors with our newborn daughter during COVID all winter, we decided to strike up a pen-pal relationship under new pseudonyms: Lord Gregory Milson and Lady Annabelle Mary Wright. We were somewhat lazy about Victorian letter writing etiquette in our letters to each other, using colored ink and sealing wax that wasn't the traditional red or black. Therefore, for this submission I decided to demonstrate as authentic a Victorian letter I could create with modern tools. I learned about Victorian letter writing etiquette from Youtuber, Ruby Grander of "The StudyTube Project;" and letter folding, sealing, and locking from scholars at https://brienne.org/unlockedbriennearchive and the related Youtube channel: "Letterlocking videos." Fountain pen, ink, and paper can be found at: https://www.gouletpens.com/

Sussex, England

Dear Friend,

I am writing to you on this very hot summer day to invite you to become my new pen pal. I hope that we can share our most intimate secrets and deepest desires. Please forgive my handwriting, as I have a new quill pen and it needs breaking in. What do you think of our new young Queen Victoria? I recon that she is too young and likely will be rather insignificant. Time will tell! Do you like my green ink? It’s the latest fashionable ink for ladies, new from Paris. I would love to go to Paris. Have you ever been?

I hear that there was a measles outbreak in your town. How is your family fairing? When the quarantine ends, I will host a ball! I hope that you will grace us with your presence.

Write soon as I am ever so lonely

Yours Truly,

Lady Annabelle Mary Wright

(London)

London, England

Dear Lady Wright,

Thank you for your missive. A new Pen Pal, what fun. One would normally balk at the idea of sharing intimate details with a stranger about their private life, but it seems we are both far enough away from each other that our secrets would be meaningless to our social enemies. Your handwriting bothers me not, I find it rather coquettish.

The Queen! I admit, the idea of being under the rule of a lady to be rather intriguing. Our realm has done well in the past with them. But she is so very young, I worry the Palace will gobble her up before long.

I do appreciate the ink you are using, and hope you don’t find my rather… similar sheen to be a pale copy of your attempts. Is this your favorite color, or are there others you like to send the way of suitors. (I jest).

Paris! What fun I’ve had there. The dance halls are quite the thing to behold, many a drink to be had, and quite a few corners to find yourself lost in if you should need a spare moment with an acquaintance. There are of course lovely gardens and rouxs to walk on, but those are best done with a travel companion. Have you one in mind?

Ah, yes. We are rather bundled up at the moment. I am all alone for the nonce, with my staff. My brothers are off traveling Spain, and my dear sister had just fixed her situation with a suitor before the plague descended on us. Now I find myself alone by the fire, thinking of anything else.

How is London? Do tell me about your own travels. Maybe a bit of juicy gossip from your neck of the woods? Or perhaps, what you look for, in a suitor.

Until next time—

Yours—Lord Gregory Milson