We frequently wax poetic about our favorite “old fashioned” traditions here at The Glam Pad, with analog correspondence being a favorite topic. A few years ago, we published a six-part series dedicated to stationery, vintage stamps, custom monograms, calling cards, cursive, and calligraphy. Today we revisit our passion for the endangered art form of putting pen to paper with a review of Victoria magazine’s exquisite new book, The Art of Correspondence. We will also embark upon a new feature series exploring revived interest in journaling from Commonplace Journals to Junk Journals, so stay tuned!

Victoria magazine has had a special place in my heart since I was a teenager. From its inception in 1987, Victoria has celebrated timeless traditions and the beauty of life from historic homes to the pursuit of loveliness through literature and writing.

In The Art of Correspondence, the editors of Victoria cordially invite you to savor quiet moments and discover the kinship and joy of composing letters. In this hardcover volume, chapters such as “Sincerely Yours” and “Room for Writing” encourage readers to create space in both their calendars and homes for putting pen to paper, with ideas for arranging a full-size or lap desk with necessities, such as stationery, as well as intriguing collectibles, including inkwells and letter openers. “Artful Expressions” celebrates the treasured traditions of calligraphy, letter press, and wax seals.

Letters exchanged over the course of time tug gently at the heartstrings, pulling loved ones closer as each handwritten note further entwines the lives of sender and receiver. Reflecting on the beauty of pouring one’s deepest feelings onto the page, The Art of Correspondence offers inspiration for creating meaningful connections through writing letters. With personal essays on the value of this practice, features highlighting exquisite accoutrements, and tips for expressing one’s thoughts in every situation, this book is a visual feast designed to delight and inform.

In addition to fine paperie, The Art of Correspondence showcases hand-engraved treasures from the past and present including antique monogrammed sterling silver and bespoke keepsakes such as perfume bottles. “For centuries, artisans have chiseled intricate swirling scripts and ornate patterns into objets d’art to commemorate special occasions.” Personalizing gifts and mementos is a thoughtful way to create precious memories inspired by the past.

“We lay aside letters never to read them again, and at last we destroy them out of discretion,” 19th century Johann Wolfgang von Goethe lamented, “and so disappears the most beautiful, the most immediate breath of life, irrecoverable for ourselves and for others.”

The Art of Correspondence offers helpful advice for sharing sentiments for each holiday, occasion, or circumstance. Find inspiration in the personal communications of a coterie of literature’s best-known authors, including a look inside some of their homes and gardens! Explore postcards from the past—some heirlooms affixed with a postage stamp and many jotted in the ephemera of daily routines or imprinted in memory.

We simply adore this beautiful book and highly recommend it for your personal library, or as a thoughtful gift. Pair The Art of Correspondence with a box of stationery, a fountain pen, some lovely stamps, and a wax seal kit to encourage your friends and family to help keep this beautiful art form alive.

To enjoy The Glam Pad’s Letter Writing Series, please click the articles below, and stay tuned as we will soon continue the discussion with our thoughts on the practice of journaling!

• The Resurgence of Stationery
• The History of Calling Cards
• Tips for Using Stationery in a Digital World
• Letter Writing and The Changing Face of Stamp Collecting
• The Art of Cursive and How to Improve
• Custom Monograms: The Ultimate in Personal Branding
• Pretty in Ink with Beth Hunt Designs

You may also click here to read our review of Victoria’s beautiful book, Gracious Home: Cultivating a Spirit of Welcome. And be sure to follow @victoriamagazine on Instagram for ongoing inspiration.