Letter Writers Alliance

The Frist Center

After my post about the second lives of decommissioned post offices, L.W.A. member Rita sent me this brochure about the Frist Center in Nashville. The fantastic Art Deco building was constructed in the 1930s and was added to the historic register in 1984. However, when the main postal facility moved out in 1986, the building was being used as only a branch office. Of the three floors, only one was in use. In the 1990s, the building was transformed into the Frist Center.

"The former post office space is perfect as a visual arts center. The huge, sorting rooms with high ceilings in the center of the original facility were naturally suited to become spacious exhibition galleries. The former skylight in the center of the building, previously closed and built over in the 1950s, had its function resurrected in the new design with the creation of clerestory windows to light the foyer and the new grand staircases. Proud of its historic site, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts celebrates the former function and architecture of its premises with a logo derived from a motif on the buildings original cast aluminum doors."

The website does mention that the "remaining branch post office relocated to renovated space on the lower level of the building in November 1999." Rita didn't mention that there was still a post office on site. I wonder if it's still there... So I just called them and yes, there is still a post office there. It's on the first floor. The receptionist was mightly confused by my inquiry as to wether or not they offered a special postmark. I had to explain what a postmark was. Someone in Nashville go find out for us. This looks like a beautiful place and a great art center. What a nice way to reinvent a postal building.

ACE: A Call for Members

My good pen pal Dave is a member of the Art Cover Exchange. I've written about Dave and his involvement with ACE on the site before, and in one of his recent letters to me, he asked if we'd be interested in advertising for ACE on our site. I said, "Well, we don't really do advertising, but I'd be happy to have you write a post about it." Dave is a strictly analog member; so he sent me this letter to share with you.
Go to this link! Or send a letter to:

Joseph Doles

105 Lawson Road

Rochester, NY

14616-1444

Thanks Dave!

Crossed Letters

I received this curious post-script from my pen pal Alan. If you're having trouble reading it, here is the transcription:

"Thinking of log and log graph paper got me thinking. Have you ever come across 'crossed' letters? In the days before adhesive stamps and the Penny Post in 1841, letters were charged by the sheet rather than by weight. To save money some people developed really tiny handwriting but others used to fit more on the page by 'crossing' their letters, writing across the lines at 90°. I read a few of these while researching for my book on Charles Clark and they are not as impossible to read as they might at first appear. Still, however expensive the mail gets, I do not think the practice will return. At least, I hope not! -Alan"

In truth, it's not that difficult to read, as he says. I think your brain gets used to it after a while. Alan's letter sent me to the Internet to look for more historic examples. I'd seen letters of the tiniest of tiny scripts, but never a crossed letter.Delightedly, in my search, I discovered this write up by Mary Robinette Kowal on the Lettermo site about letter writing in the Regency where she specifically mentions crossed letters. Facsinating! What's the weirdest letter you've ever had to decipher? Tell us about it in the comments.

Interview Via Postcard

Last year (I know, I know, bad Donovan, slow updating), our collaborator and friend Carolee sent a multiple postcard interveiw to one of our members. I had no idea that she'd done so, but I was thrilled to get these in the P.O. Box.  I love the concept and found Lucy's responses charming. Here they are for you to enjoy too! Multiple postcard sendings are a fun way to spice up your outgoing mail, and the idea of "being interviewed" is fun for any recipent. Of course, Carolee added an extra dimension in that she didn't even get to see Lucy's answers, until now.

This is SO fun,

The Case of the Missing Telegram

I'm a lover of ephemera. I like to hoard it, to look through it, to think about the world that came before me. I even like to cut it up and use it in art. If it's old and made of paper and related to the postal world, chances are I will like it. But there's a dark side to ephemera, particularily letters.

Someone, somewhere loved that piece of paper before I did. A lot of my collection comes from estate sales and ebay auctions, meaning a lot of it comes out of the houses of the deceased. They treasured those letters all of their life and now, their jerk grandkid just wants to make a buck*. (*Or has medical bills to pay or something equally tragic and noble, not all of them are jerks, I know.) It is something that is in the back of my mind whenever I go through a box of old postcards or letters.

That said, I have some wonderful news to share with you. One of our new members, Rachel, sent me a link to her blog where she shares the tale of the above telegram. It came to her as part of a gift packet of miscellanious papers. She was so intrigued by it that she put it up on her blog and asked for ideas about how to research the sender further. With help from her commentors and Google, she solved the mystery. It's a really touching story and I encourage you all to read it. I hope it brightens your day, like it did mine.

 

L.W.A. Members in Action

We get so excited every time we see the projects that our members are doing to help promote letter writing. Whenever you host a letter social or organize a post card party or even give a lecture about the joy of letter writing, we want to know about it. We want to share just how creative and letter-loving our members are with our community. Here are some examples of member actions from this year.

At the DC Pen Show in August, Michael Kovac gave an extensive lecture on the history of letter writing and tips on how to improve your letter writing today. His full lecture is available on his website. I especially enjoyed his tips on making your own stationery, and he does sell his designs for those who are not as craftily inclined.

Member Suzanne saw the post I did on holding a mail art party and was inspired to hold one of her own. She reports that it was fantastic and will totally do it again. From the pictures, I can certainly see that it was a grand time. I mean, look at this table!

 Lastly, I got this note from a triple-member hosted letter social. Superb!

Keep up the good work everyone!

Member Letter: Robert M.

Since writing me this letter, Robert has become one of my best pen pals. Anyone who thinks guys have bad hand writing as a rule should take a look at Robert's beautiful penmanship. We welcome your letters about why you love letter writing and are always thrilled to be able to share those thoughts with the rest of the world. You can check out the letter even larger over on our Flickr.

Inspirational Mail: GO VOTE

Tomorrow, November 6th, is the day of the Presidental election for the U.S. of A. Our member, Kimberly, sent over this completely non-partisan package to inspire Kathy and I to do our part and cast our ballots. I'm sharing it here in hopes that it will inspire you too. Go VOTE!

Rosemary on "Why I Write Letters"

You can tell from the date that I've been holding on to this for a while. I have a couple of others that I've been meaning to post as well. A larger version of this letter can be seen on our Flickr stream. Thanks for sharing, Rosemary!

 

Vanuatu Underwater Post Office

The L.W.A. has received its first postcard from beneathe the sea! Sent in by member April of New Zealand while she was on vacation, the card is waterproof and specially branded from the world's only underwater post office in Vanuatu. It does say on the website that the card should be cancelled with an embossed mark {as seen here}, but sadly, it seems the Post Master was on a break when our card went through. Still, it is awesome and being the first to send it to us earned April an Inkling! Thanks April!