history of self addressed stamped envelope

At first, it was left to local printing and manufacturing firms to fold the paper into the classic shape of a modern envelope – by hand. He proposed that a prepaid penny “wrapper” with a stamp would be used to send mail around the UK. Sir Rowland Hill published his Post Office Reform in 1837, which for the first time introduced the concept of the stamp. He sent a single letter from Boston to Philadelphia, and paid 22 cents for the privilege.Īs printing and manufacturing processes improved, the cost of envelopes – and the cost of sending mail – plummeted. One of the first ever long distance messages to be sent in a modern envelope was written by Sam Adams in 1775. The Industrial Revolution changed the envelope forever The seal was made with beeswax and resin, and was sealed with a coat of arms – sometimes with a ring. Such messages were very common between the aristocracy and senior members of the Church. Even then, however, the design was little more than an extra sheet of paper folded over the message and sealed with wax. It wasn’t until the Medieval era that production techniques improved to such an extent that a paper envelope could be used for the sending of messages. Both the Chinese and Japanese versions at the time were believed to be rather crudely made by hand. But rather than messages, these simple protective wraps were used to send monetary gifts.Īt around the same time, wealthy Japanese men used early versions to send gifts to relatives after a death. The first paper envelope emergesĪround 200BC, the Chinese developed the first envelope made from paper. This version was more like a folder than a spherical case, and it was sealed by pressing both ends of a rectangular clay sheet together. The envelope was sealed with more clay, and then smashed to reveal the contents upon delivery.Ī similar method of secure messaging was developed in Babylonia, around 2,000 years before the birth of Christ. They were made from clay, which was moulded into a sphere, in which the message would sit. However, these first examples were nothing like what we use today.

Historians believe that the first envelope made its first appearance in ancient China, where it was used to guarantee the privacy of royal correspondence. The answer to this question is probably more fascinating than you realise. Designed to protect correspondence from damage and prying eyes, this ubiquitous item of stationery can be the bearer of both good and bad news.īut when and where did the envelope first appear? The humble envelope is often not given the credit it is due. Centenary Gold ‘335’ Oyster Board Printers Cards.Centenary Gold Double Thick ‘800’ Printers Cards.

History of self addressed stamped envelope