Letterlocking : The Hidden History of the Letter by Jana Dambrogio 9780262049276

Letterlocking : The Hidden History of the Letter
£38.00 GBP
£38.00 GBP
Delve into the fascinating world of letterlocking, an ancient document security technique that...
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Subtotal: £38.00
Description

Delve into the fascinating world of letterlocking, an ancient document security technique that transforms letters into their own secure envelopes. This captivating book unravels the rich tapestry of a centuries-old practice, whilst providing a comprehensive guide to mastering the art yourself.

Before the advent of gummed envelopes in the 1830s, individuals from all walks of life—from Elizabeth I and her spymaster to Japanese samurai lords—employed this ingenious method to safeguard their private correspondence. Letterlocking, a practice nearly lost to time, involved an intricate process of folding, slitting, and securing a letter with paper strips and sealing wax. Jana Dambrogio and Daniel Starza Smith, pioneers in this field, offer a meticulous exploration of letterlocking's place in epistolary history, drawing upon authentic examples from across the globe.

Boasting over 500 illustrations and diagrams, including an extensive dictionary of technical terms, this tome serves as both a historical account and a practical manual. The authors not only elucidate the fundamental principles of letterlocking but also provide resources for novices and seasoned practitioners alike. Furthermore, they champion the integration of letterlocking into various intellectual and cultural pursuits, from conservation science to historical television productions.

By the book's conclusion, readers will have acquired the skills to create locked letters, analyse potentially locked historical documents, and categorise them using systems developed through the authors' extensive study of over 250,000 historic letters. Complementing the book, a website offers free access to scholarly articles, instructional videos, and diagrams. Additionally, foldable, tear-out sheets with step-by-step instructions for folding and locking letters are included, allowing readers to immediately put their newfound knowledge into practice.

Product Information:

Book ISBN: 9780262049276
Book Author: Jana Dambrogio
Book Format: Hardback
Book Imprint: MIT Press
Book Publisher: MIT Press Ltd
Book Publication Date: 2025-03-04
Book Pagination: 528 pages, 361 COLOR ILLUS.
Book Weight: 0g
Why Sherlock & Pages?

Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.

This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.

We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.

Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’

Reviews

Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.

This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.

We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.

Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’

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