Wax Seals aren't 'fuddy duddy' anymore!

Wax seals and sealing wax have a rich history that most people into stationery are at least somewhat acquainted with. In short, it was way back in 1670 that J Herbin returned from India and started making sealing wax.


And like any clever Frenchman, he knew the way to popularise his creation - to get King Louis 14's approval! When the King started receiving his letters sealed with wax, it meant that they were tamper-proof and allowed the king of indulgence to add just a little more ceremony to his daily life...as if that were possible!


With all of that rich, classicist french style and history behind them, it's easy to see wax seals as a bit, well, 'naf' really. I was really impressed at the work of waxsealshop.com.au in bringing sealing wax up to date. Check out their gallery for some, dare I say it, perfectly contemporary uses of sealing wax. Black wax, some Art Deco fonts, some highlights here and there. Love it!

Field Notes Classics: J Herbin Ink

Via Spritual Evolution of the Bean, J Herbin Rouge Caroubier

Thinking about how easy it is to personalise your Rhodia pad, or how many people love to make their Moleskine notebook fully their own over the last couple of days has had me thinking about how important notebooks are. I mean, where would we be without them?

Via Spritual Evolution of the Bean, J Herbin Rouge Caroubier

I know that I fall into a state of near amnesia without my Rhodia Pad...but what's a pad without some ink? I use a Lamy Safari Rollerball everyday - the tip is indestructible and my hands love confirming to those Bauhaus contours - but have a real appreciation for the fountain pen users among us.

Via Spritual Evolution of the Bean, J Herbin Rouge Caroubier

Writing from a bottle of ink just seems right...proper...kosher. I received a letter the other day from a seasoned fountain pen user and the difference was huge - it wasn't just correspondence, it was close to art.

Colour Swatch for Rouge Caroubier...of course it depends on your paper...

And you can get artistic with it which is where this blog is coming from. Reading recently Biffy Beans review of J Herbin Rouge Caroubier (please read her blog, for your own sake!) further emphasised the complexity of pen and ink, the nuance.

Lamy Joy Calligraphy Fountain Pen

And to reach the apotheosis of artistic inky endeavors, you can always try calligraphy. We noticed that Inscriber just got a Lamy Joy Calligraphy pen and can only imagine how good the J Herbin Ink would flow through it! Has anybody used the J Herbin Rouge Caroubier before? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Site of the Week: Inscriber

Image Courtesy of Inscriber

Following on from our Site of the Week last week (My Messy Room!) we're following up with some big news for stationery lovers for this week's site of the week.

Image Courtesy of Inscriber

We mentioned recently how Calligraphy was a way to really have an impact and how letter writing is a dying form of communication, which is to say, one with meaning.

Image Courtesy of Inscriber

Well our friends at NoteMaker have spun off into the world of fine correspondence stationery and wax seals and opened a new store: Inscriber.

Image Courtesy of Inscriber

From the About Us:
"Inscriber is dedicated to the art of the written word; calligraphy, hand written correspondence, the finest papers and delectable inks and sealing wax in all colours of the rainbow."

Image Courtesy of Inscriber

Sounds great! And looks even better. The photography is really gorgeous and does the big names of fine stationery, like G Lalo and J Herbin, proud!

Image Courtesy of Inscriber

So check it out. We're about to go and order a custom wax seal: the perfect touch.