Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Antique Letters Found at the Flea Market in France

Antique French letters


Old letters, papers, documents, books... 
you might say I do a happy dance whenever I find such things at the flea market. 
Of course not just any old piece of French ephemera will do, well almost, 
though those that are dated 1790 or older are my thrill.
It is at the point that when I see a hint of paper peeking out of a box 
I nearly can contain my inner squeel of delight. 
Some people have a thing for clothes, or sports, or cars, or luxury.... 
as for me French ephemera lites my fire.


Antique-letters


Last weekend I hit the mother lode when I found a box of old papers that had
several letters dating 1785 and older.
The letters were sent between two people from Marseille and Naples. I can read some of them, 
though the letters are in Old French. You know they don't talk our talk:
"Hey, how goes it, wanna meet up this weekend and play video games?"
Not that I play video games, but you understand what I mean. 

Red wax seal personage

The letters do not have envelopes. Instead they were  folded and sealed. 
The  old red wax seals, are missing in action--  I like to think whoever received
them torn them off in haste.
Lovers loving at a distance... heartache movie kind of stuff.
Not so fun.
French Husband and I had that type of relationship for one year:
Back and forth letters, expensive phone calls, one short visit...
Not something I would wish upon anyone in love.

Though old love letters.... that is another story.





If you would like an old letter such as one above, write in the comment section:
When is the last time you received a letter?
and I will randomly pick three tomorrow.

Comments

100 responses to “Antique Letters Found at the Flea Market in France”

  1. Sylvia

    Oh Corey,
    I have my faire share of long distance relationship.. when internet was not part of our life, letters were important, waiting for the postman to arrives was just like the song “Please, Mr. Postman”.
    Then the fax machine. I was an air stewardess for Singapore airlines, so it was really nice to receive faxes at different part of the world. Instead of those welcome letters from the hotel, i received love faxes in my room..sometimes with roses too..
    Lucky that when i met my french husband, internet has arrived..but Skype was not part of our lives yet, so lots of expensive phone calls for a year.
    Thank you for bringing me back to those sweet memories.

    Reply
  2. Zosia

    I admire the handwriting of these old letters. These days no one is learning calligraphy – a lost art.
    In the 1980’s in Poland, when we had martial law, letters from abroad were censored. If you received such a letter, it would arrive in a plastic bag, opened, with a stamp “CENSORED” on the envelope. All romance evaporated.

    Reply
  3. mary

    How our lives have changed through the years.
    I can remember waiting for a letter to arrive and checking everyday in anticipation
    ..now I use the internet and Skype is a wonderful communication tool. I get to talk and see my cousin in England …so much easier but letters are more romantic
    Christmas seems to be the only time now that I receive letters

    Reply
  4. Marilou

    Sadly, the art of pen to paper is becoming a lost form. Handwritten letters can take us back to a other era. I love your blog and look forward to reading it everyday!

    Reply
  5. Deborah

    we recently found a postcard from my husband’s father who died in action during the Korean war. His picture is one side and a note to his brothers at home on the other. It gave my husband a glimpse into the man he hardly knew. handwritten letters are so precious just because they are so personal.
    Of course, ones written in lovely script, all flourish-y and elegant, with postmarks from romantic places are what makes my heart sing as well.

    Reply
  6. Alison

    Does a postcard count? We just got a postcard yesterday from my father. As far a love letters- oh that would have been high school. Notes passed back and forth were so amazingly special. Not exactly a posted letter but better than a text message!

    Reply
  7. Cathy

    The last post that I received was from my very best friend Gail. It was very sweet. We met and worked in the ER together for over 10 years. She said she was thinking about the crazy days we spent in the ER and that working with me made it a great experience and fun! Despite the suffering we witnessed, it was nice to have her on this journey with me too. I love her so much. We learned a lot at that hospital about patient care and ourselves. It was hard work, but I don’t regret a moment.

    Reply
  8. Elizabeth

    My husband and I did that for our second year or marriage – but in this age its skype and email…nary a letter to be sent from my husband, he’s just not the writing type. I get them on my birthday when my birthday wish is to get a letter from him.
    I do, however, cultivate letter writing with other letter writers so a steady stream of letters comes and goes from everywhere and to everywhere. I got my last one two days ago and sent my last one yesterday. Anyone want a pen pal? 🙂

    Reply
  9. Elizabeth

    I also just want to say that…letter writing is coming back! The post office released a study and it said that the highest demographic of letter writers is in the 18 – 26 age group! How awesome is that?

    Reply
  10. Alan

    My 90 year old mother writes me about once a month. She puts a personal note in an envelope stuffed with articles from Chicago newspapers. She is under the impression that I can’t read my home town newspapers even though I’ve told her about the internet. By the way, will anybody be collecting antique emails at some point in the future?

    Reply
  11. becky up a hill

    I was searching through my vintage suitcases yesterday, looking for linens. The case on the bottom holds misc items. I re-found a letter written by my grandfather in 1911. He is writing from his little house on the North Dakota Prairie to his cousins in the north woods of Michigan. They had visited earlier and one had forgotten his night shirt. He mentions the fun they had riding his pony Nellie. My grandfather was the love of my life. He passed when I was 13. So I guess this is the last letter I read. A hundred years old childish letter, my treasure.

    Reply
  12. Karen in Michigan

    I can’t remember the last letter that didn’t come in a Christmas card. I get postcards but not handwritten letters. I’m trying to get my niece who just started college to send me her snail mail address so I can send her a care package, but she barely emails. But I can tell you I’ve sent a few short letters in the past few months when I’ve needed to send something to friends. I still own actual stationery!

    Reply
  13. karen

    It has been years. Probably a letter from my family in Wales…I miss letter writing! I used to have pen pals growing up and I want my daughter to have that experience! karen….

    Reply
  14. Tracy

    The last letter I received was from my mother. She does not have a computer, nor does she want one. She lives 1000 miles away. She always writes letters and her handwriting is beautiful, never makes a mistake or crosses out, etc. She is going to be 83.
    My husband used to have an aunt that wrote the most beautiful 3-4 page letters in her 90’s. Never made a misspell or cross out, as she chose her words carefully before she put pen to the paper.
    What a lost art. We really need to slow down, letters are so much more fun to receive in the mail.

    Reply
  15. Christina

    We cleaned out my husbands parents home almost 1 1/2 ago now. Very sad that. While cleaning, we came across a shoebox full of letters. Written by his mother to his father, when she was still in nursing school and he was studying to become a pastor.
    Very nice to read, but made us wonder… she definitely was a born pastors wife :o)
    Such a treasure to know they where kept safe for such a long time.

    Reply
  16. dede

    My last letter was from my youngest daughter this summer. She was in the hospital and couldn’t ‘t have visitors often. Even though the letter was just everyday, unimportant info, having it was a joy and a hope for me. I’ll keep it always.

    Reply
  17. my shabby roses

    I love old letters too!
    I think the last time I rec’d a letter in the mail, was probably over 6 years ago. My mother-in-law was so good about writing letters. She was an English teacher. She passed away 5 years ago. She was so good at writing letters remembering birthdays and special occasions with cards too.
    Have a great day in France!
    Debbie

    Reply
  18. Judy

    The last letter I received was just a few days ago from my granddaughter who lives very far away. She wrote to tell me that her favorite doll’s arm broke off and how she cried and cried. She was looking for some sympathy and a letter from grandma to help her feel better. That letter is on lined notebook paper, written in pencil, and has dear little drawings across the bottom of the page. It’s a keeper too.

    Reply
  19. martina

    a couple of months ago from a friend in North Carolina. I was going through a lot of stress and her note is definitely a keeper.

    Reply
  20. Eleazar Balboa

    T HE ANTIQUE STORE IS FIVE MINUTES AWAY. The guy running the place didn’t understand why I showed up twice to take pictures of letters, …
    Don,
    http://yesshop.yolasite.com/blog.php

    Reply
  21. CandaceW

    My aunt does not have high-speed internet so we write letters back and forth regularly. I remember when going to the mail box was a treat because there might be a letter, now all I receive are bills.

    Reply
  22. Melissa Paruzel

    My last received letter was a month ago from a penpal. I loved it even if it was about mundane daily stuff. Love letters? I guess when I was 25. We broke up soon after since we were growing apart with different interests.

    Reply
  23. Liz

    It has been too long since receiving a real handwritten letter. So please send me one of your beautiful french letters. Then I can honestly say,”I just received a letter in the mail the other day”…Dosen’t that sound good?…

    Reply
  24. Marilyn

    The hand writing on these letters is so beautiful! Now if we only knew the secrets they shared.

    Reply
  25. Betsy

    Wow, I haven’t thought about how long it has been since I have received a letter. It has been a long time. I have written letters, with my beloved fountain pens. I suppose I will write some more, maybe friends will take the hint…

    Reply
  26. Chris Wittmann

    This past July I received a handwritten letter from an old German neighbor who lived across the street from my parents in New Jersey. She still lives in the same house, and is now a widow. She was writing out of concern for my health after hearing from my sister that I’d had some problems. I keep her letters, as she is a dear friend whom I’ve known since I was only 12 years old! As for love letters, oh my yes…between my first husband (English husband) and myself, for a year and a half, every week, but they were left behind in England long ago.

    Reply
  27. bears879@aol.com

    I received a handwritten note just today thanking me for having helped out a woman through my business at no charge. It was a lovely note, unexpected, and made me feel like I had done a good deed. It was on lovely and colorful paper and carefully written. It certainly my day.

    Reply
  28. WR

    I think that the last time I received a hand written letter was 5 years ago from my cousins in France telling me that their father had passed. We had previously sent letters back and forth but have since migrated to email.
    Too bad…

    Reply
  29. Sharon Mattern

    Like most people, I have not received a handwritten letter in the mail in years. After my parents passed away, I discovered a box of letters that my father had written to his mother, while he was stationed in Guam during WWII. I cherish those words. They are tender and sincere by that 18 year old boy, sending his thoughts and comforting phrases so that his mother would not be worried. I hope that in future years, someone will cherish these papers as much as I do now.

    Reply
  30. Erin Perry

    My last letter came from my younger sister – we have been estranged since 2002 when I came out of the closet.
    I have written her on a regular basis over the years and was thrilled when I received a letter back that while not overly warm and welcoming did report on family news instead of telling me I was an “abomination unto the Lord”. I’m hopeful that this sign of a thaw will lead to many more and that someday we’ll have again the loving relationship we used to share.
    Erin in Morro Bay

    Reply
  31. Helene

    I was touched by your mention of a “corresponding courtship” with FH. I, too had such a courtship with my husband of 44 years. I think we got to know one another’s thoughts, hopes and desires without the intensity of being together physically.

    Reply
  32. Sue P.

    Oh my. I can’t even pinpoint when I received an actual LETTER in the mail. I would guess about 10 years ago. However, my friend and I continue the tradition of thank you notes, and little cards with handwritten phrases in them each season. Reading and cherishing those cards and words always warms my heart.

    Reply
  33. Susan young

    I too just adore old French letters Corey( and have bought done from you I might add!
    ). Thd old script is just gorgeous, albeit sometimes
    very tough to read. Thanks for the chance of winning one!
    My last actual letter was from my penpal in California… It’s do nice to receive an actual handwritten letter these days.
    Thanks again for this glimpse of the past.

    Reply
  34. Ellen

    I honestly can’t remember the last time I received a letter! Wow! I remember as a little girl my mom would sit down in the mornings and write letters to her mom and mother-in-law… I mostly get bills and advertisements in the mailbox now, and the occasional box of contact lenses! Your letters are really beautiful! What a great find!

    Reply
  35. Jeannie

    I am one of those people who still write letters. I have never liked the phone and felt I could express myself better in the written word. I also keep the letters I receive. The letters from my Great Aunt who passed away. We corresponded for 35 years. My best friend (84) who hates computers and I have communicated via mail since she moved away 20 years ago (She is old enough to be my Mom, but we “get” each other). The letters from my dear heart. We only saw each other once a month for 5 years due to distance. There is something about opening an old letter, even one I have read over and over, the thought that someone took the time to write their thoughts and send them to me. Treasures each and everyone.

    Reply
  36. Amy Kortuem

    Those letters are so beautiful! The last letter I received was a thank you note for playing my harp at a bride’s wedding.
    My grandma and I used to write letters and letters and letters to each other, all through my life. She wrote the best letters ever, a stream of consciousness account of her days (she’d write the same letter for several days and mail it off to me).
    I kept them all. And she kept mine. I have them all in a box together, now that she’s gone. I miss writing her, and sometimes I still do.

    Reply
  37. AmanDUH

    I still write letters, although it seems to be infrequent. There is no greater feeling than finding letters in my mailbox!

    Reply
  38. Dawn

    The last letter that I received was from my Grandmother. I never threw any of them away, because I knew that one day they would be treasures. She wrote of the weather, birds, baking and other things that she loved. Her writing is shaky and I can almost hear her sweet voice in my ear. She has been gone for a year and a half and I am so thankful for those sweet words on paper.

    Reply
  39. Colleen

    What treasures those old letters are. I am wondering if there will be a time when people barely remember what a hand written letter is. The letters I receive these days are usually thank you notes, many from newlyweds thanking me for a gift. I seem to be attending lots of weddings these days.

    Reply
  40. denisesolsrud@hotmail.com

    Just today, i rec’d a letter,but my very last love letter was in 1968 from my now husband. i still have my letters and cards from him bundled up and tied with a navy blue satin ribbon. we also had a relation that was back n’ forth with bus rides and phone calls and the mail. and someone else did read them. they were stored in the attic of my in-laws till they decided to insulate. relation (guys) were up in the attic with pull down steps. i was waiting at the bottom waiting for more items to come. i stood waiting,but i would hear them reading to each other. it dawned on me that, yes, they were reading my letters. i hollered up to them and said,hey,hey! put that mail back and send it down,NOW!! they promptly did so. makes me happy to know that i still have that neat bundle tied up in ribbon. i still write letters and cards today and sometimes even put a seal on the envelope. those with a seal,sometimes crack in transit,but i love doing it. Bestest,Denise

    Reply
  41. kathy hansen

    Such beauty from time long gone bye. The last time I recieved a letter was from someone Ive known since I was 5. Amazing to recieve such a treasure from someone I love dearly..

    Reply
  42. Victoria Ramos

    I love to write letters – or ‘drop a note’. But rarely to I get any reply back by ‘snail mail’. I have a dear friend who lives in So. Cal who I correspond with and it makes me happy every time a letter or card arrives in the mail…
    I worry that hand written anything will become a thing of the past. Remember when we had to practice penmanship in school? All those practice sheets for each letter? Do they even do that anymore? I am a self taught calligrapher of sort – so I do so value how beautiful this antique letters are…..a dying art!

    Reply
  43. Julie Postle

    Hi Corey,
    Being a lover of fine stationery, having once owned a shop in Pasadena, California…I can only say you have come across ‘gems’! I used to sell a handmade card, the inscription on the front being “Letters Mingle Souls”….indeed they do! We can trade? 🙂 About a year ago I went to a tag sale and found a group of letters written by a young Canadian soldier to his parents at the time of WWII. They are the airmail lettergrams, so neatly written and with such sentiment, I just couldn’t imagine anyone throwing them away, so I have them now…every now and then reading them and appreciating ‘the written word’ in such a time of strife. One day they will be sent along to the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, as they seem to want them and I know will be taken care of there.
    Have you and French Husband translated any of your ‘gems’? Maybe best to imagine their content….and create your own story of ‘once was’.
    I continually enjoy your writings and pictures…hopefully one day to visit Provence!
    Bonne journee!
    Julie

    Reply
  44. Christine

    I received a letter from a friend of 50+ years just last Wednesday! We’ve kept in touch all these years. When I was in my teens, I also had 4 international pen pals. Still write and visit my first one in The Netherlands, but over time, the other 3 “forgot” how to write English including my cousin in Denmark. To this day, I’m a die-hard letter writer and lover of calligraphy and sealing wax.

    Reply
  45. Brenda

    Oh Corey,
    I began to drool when you mentioned your latest acquisition of handwritten letters. I, too, love handwritten words of long ago.
    I cannot remember the last time I have received a handwritten letter. Perhaps I should get the ball going by writing to my friends. Thank you for giving me something to ponder…
    Brenda

    Reply
  46. Judy

    Oh Mon Dieu! I love the old letter, what a treasure!

    Reply
  47. cindy

    Dear Corey, The age on these letters is wonderful. Just the thought of touching one, where someone so carefully put their thoughts to paper so long ago ignights my imagination!Thanks for showing them in video…I really enjoyed it!

    Reply
  48. susanc

    Handwritten letters and notes are such a treat nowadays and I so treasure them. I received a nice note from a dear friend inside my birthday card this year (and every year) from her ~ they are truly special! I especially love the handwriting in old letters and documents ~ such beautiful penmanship!

    Reply
  49. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    Would you (and French Husband, and perhaps Bonne Maman) translate one for us? I’d love to hear it.
    I was just looking at some cards a still-close friend sent me 30 years ago — her handwriting, all teeny to maximize what she could write in the space available, is so dear to me.
    Oh. Also for my 60th birthday last year, my little sister mailed me SIXTY bday cards over the course of my birth month! With little notes in each as to why she selected that one, usually with that tweaking wit that sisters do for each other. Not actual letters but her writing, her wit, her love for me.

    Reply
  50. Elizabeth

    I’m totally serious about the pen pal thing! If anyone wants to be pen pals just email me (click the link on my name…you’ll find my email there on the right side of my blog! I don’t like posting it directly in comments because too many spiders get at it and you get TONS of junk mail!) If I get enough I might even be able to set up a pen pal swap and randomly match you all up.

    Reply
  51. Marilyn in Chico, Ca

    I received a letter last week from the little girl I support in Uganda through Compassion International. Her name is Anna and she is 11 years old. Even though she lives in poverty she is full of joy. For her birthday I sent money (through the organization) and she bought a goat and a dress. I was thrilled, as I had never bought a goat before ! I have supported her for 5 years, and I can see the progress in her letter writing.

    Reply
  52. jend’isère

    Handwritten letters from my high-tech future husband won my heart. Opening, unfolding, placing under a pillow, rereading penned words direct through time and space…
    Just today my son’s penmanship was praised by his French teacher. I hope it is not true that cursive writing no longer taught in US. Vivre la lettre!

    Reply
  53. LauraInSeattle

    I LOVE mail! I send cards and letters whenever. Recently I had shoulder surgery and received some lovely cards in the mail. But a letter? Hmmm, I think that I haven’t received a true letter in 5 years.
    I believe it is a dying art….

    Reply
  54. Abigailb

    Hi Corey-
    I received a lovely note from my sister…a “pick me up” as I had been having a tough time at work. She always has beautiful stationary and it’s so sweet to receive a card from her!!

    Reply
  55. Kathy

    Hi Corey
    The last letter I received was from my Father who passed away not long after. I live in Melbourne Australia and he lived in Perth Australia so there was geographical distance between us.
    I was very close to my father – he was the most wonderful man and I treasure that letter.
    Kathy

    Reply
  56. Madeleine

    I, too, love old letters. Letters, in general, are a lost art. I write them just to fend off the decline and eventual disappearance of the P.O.. And, I’m absolutely fascinated with anything 18th Century French. Any letters written between 1788, or so, and 1802, or so, can’t be anything but fascinating. That window isn’t large enough, but I don’t know where to draw the line. What a time of upheaval.

    Reply
  57. Madeleine

    I got so carried away with the idea of 18th Century French letters that I forgot to answer the question. I received my last letter from my ex-sister-in-law, still sister, who lives, coincidentally, in Paris. I’m an American, and live in Texas, but a sister relationship is worth traversing the miles (and the “ex” factor) for.

    Reply
  58. Angelina

    My British Penpal (i live in Oregon USA) sends fantastic rambling hand-written letters. They begin on the train ride and usually have a gap of a week (or six) describing daily incidents, British cultural-unique-isms, hopes and dreams and the latest endeavors of assorted family members and current roommates. We exchange at least a letter a month, and it is always a brighter afternoon when one arrives in the mail. We could exhange e-mails quite easily, but have chosen to keep it “all in hand” =)

    Reply
  59. Bonnie Buckingham

    Yesterday.
    I wrote 5 on Monday.
    Wish I could address them as beautifully as these antique French letters. I do put something on the back . Always.
    Never send a naked envelope.
    Anthropologie catalogs are the best to tear a shoe or bowl or a wine glass and stick on the back!
    My newest daughter in law saves the backs.
    Just tickles me.

    Reply
  60. cathy

    I received a post card from France yesterday but a letter from you would be sublime:)

    Reply
  61. Ann

    My mother sent me a letter last week. She loves to write letters and over the years I have written so many letters to her and dad. Now Sunday afternoon is my time to write mom a letter. I always use special stationary or a beautiful card, I give a lot of thought of what I want to share and how to share it. I use a special pen that flows and I use my best penmanship. My topics are always uplifting, no crying on her shoulder. She loves to hear about my antique business so I may include pictures of my little treasures. And in return, I get the most heartwarming letters back from her. I’m keeping them since she is so sweet and clever in her letters to me. Her last letter brought me tears of joy as she pierced my heart with her love.
    Of course I can pick up the phone anytime and have a conversation but she loves letters, as so do I, so we write back and forth each week.
    You old letters are a real treasure!

    Reply
  62. Cindy B.

    A few weeks ago, I received a letter from my only living grandmother. I send her photos of my two small children (her only great-grandchildren) regularly, and she wrote to thank me. All seven of her brothers and sisters have passed on… She is hard of hearing, so phone calls are hit or miss, and she has no computer. I am so grateful that we can still connect with each other this way.

    Reply
  63. Lana Kloch

    surprise, corey.. decided day before yesterday to fly to auty for a week, then paris for a week with an artist/photographer girlfriend. we will be taking a workshop w/ anna corba @ chateau dumas.
    won’t be able to see you this time, but feel warmly that i am nearby.
    i collect french letters and separately collect the waxed seals as well. thank you for sharing these with your audience. they will treasure the feel of the paper, the style of the writing and oh, so much more. hugs lana cano kloch

    Reply
  64. joanne (jojo)

    it’s been 25 years since I received a hand written love letter. I still have it, tucked away in a special place in my heart. I have the real letter too…from far away and long ago, but the love is not lost..he is beside me everyday.

    Reply
  65. Michele

    . . . oh, I was recently looking for the ‘love letters’ of my youth – my 10 year old youth and my first love, Gilbert. What I found instead were the letters I’d kept in a box from a 2 year ‘across the oceans’ love lost, all stamped from Germany. The ONE that was most important and FOUND was the one I’d written to ME in a time of great despair! This Lover shall NEVER leave me !

    Reply
  66. Carolyn

    Hand written 1996. A love letter 1969. I keep everything but two people helping me move threw the love letters away. I would adore one of your letters.

    Reply
  67. peggy aplSEEDS

    i totally understand that inner squeal of delight. those letters are gorgeous! the last letter i received was from a woman i traded an artist trading card with. it is wonderful to receive mail specially nowadays when almost everyone just sends an email!

    Reply
  68. Delphine Hudson

    The last letter I received was years ago from my then 5yr old (he is now 31yrs, Golly!!!). I had told him off about something, and he was clearly still angry with me, and left a letter on my pillow. The following day we were going to the beach and he had written about how he was looking forward to it and what he was going to do etc, and at the end puts…”but I’m going to call to the sharks..Shark!, Shark!, come and eat mummy!” I had such a giggle at that and kept the letter and put it in his memory album for his 21st. Sadly not a romantic love letter, but I treasured it none the less.

    Reply
  69. Limner

    Erin, she loves you. 🙂 Give her time. Keep writing to her. Nothing touches quite like a letter. It shows how much the author cares. It takes a lot of time, thought and often effort, to pen even a note. (hugs)
    Can you believe I am reading each post? I have a blog devoted to letters. “Oh, Write Me” might inspire you to keep writing.

    Reply
  70. Limner

    It is good to hear tha t letter-writing is on the increase but I find those stats to be a little iffy. Most of my mail that is generated from Oh, Write Me! Is written by older writers, although I do get a fair amount of mail from younger people. We love to create mail art, and in one week I wrote over 42 letters and notes. I hope you will check out some of the links on OWM. Letter writers rock!

    Reply
  71. Limner

    I could just hug you! I haven’t felt much like writing letters since my youngest sister passed in May, but reading the responses to Corey’s query makes my heart leap with joy. I felt overwhelmed by all the mail I have to answer, so I considered killing my blog about letter-writing. Shame on me. The people who write to me have helped me immensely. Thank you for helping me as well.
    Corey is just wonderful.

    Reply
  72. Bonita

    The last letter I received was from my son. Several Christmas’s ago our cash strapped, university student son gave us each individual letters in lieu of a traditional purchased gift. I must say it was the best gift of all.

    Reply
  73. Limner

    Corey, I would treasure one of the letters. I would write a post about it and include a scan. My readers would love to read about your offer, so I hope I have time to tell them about it. I haven’t felt like posting often since my sister passed, but you have inspired me to get a move on.
    Thanks!

    Reply
  74. Ana María

    What a lovely idea! I will start doing that from now on!

    Reply
  75. Ana María

    Oh Corey, I can’t even remember the last real letter I received. Bills, ads and especially at this time, political ads, but no real letters. Your blog has so inspired me! I have read each of the comments and promised myself I will start writing letters again.
    When my children were little they would write me letters all the time and leave them on my bed. I have them all saved. One wonderful Saturday morning in 1996 I had an appointment for a manicure at my friend’s salon, when I walked in, the women there applauded. Unbeknown to me, my oldest daughter had written a letter to our local newspaper entitled, “Mom, I want to be like you!” and it was published that Saturday!
    And I would treasure one of your old French letters! Thank you!

    Reply
  76. Marie-Noëlle

    I received my last letter in June…
    From my son’s godfather.
    We haven’t seen him and his family for many years and we do not use the new technologies to keep in touch. Only hand-written letters and cards… + pictures!
    I like those old letters on your photos and I enjoyed to read all the comments.
    (Please do not count me in your picking, as I have a pile of old letters from my mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. And I bet some other reader will appreciate!).

    Reply
  77. Rae

    One can only wish for something other than, bills, promotional material (even though you have a no junk mail sign) and those treasured magazine subscriptions (home style)
    Whoever is lucky enough to win one of your beautiful letter’s. Please frame it in an elegant Vera Wang tortishell frame. It will be treasured for generations to come. I couldn’t tell you the last time I received a letter. Rae xxx

    Reply
  78. Irina

    I often wish we still have to right letters. Beautiful handwriting becomes an art this days.
    Sadly, I don’t even remember when I received a handwritten letter 🙁

    Reply
  79. g

    i love the video- i know i am too late for the giveaway but i just wanted you to know how serene i found the video -loved it on this early morn-i love sending letters and do FREQUENTLY-love stationary and have a chest full! i have a paper fixation old, new newspaper,- phamlets even the wrap you use- i save read, fold unfold – refold etc-i very rarely receive letters back-i use email only for speed and ease and fore go proper caps puncuation etc(unless business corres.)-my unconscious protest-i would like to believe they were love letters too!

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  80. Dd

    In July, q bequtiful letter from my sister for my b day. It was a big birthday and I was in Pqris! Joy!
    Dd

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  81. Dana

    The last letter I received was about a month ago, I believe. A friend deployed.
    Best letter I have received in a long time.

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  82. Karen C

    My husband told me he would never put anything in writing so never expect a letter from him. He was wrong. He has written me some beautiful things over the years.
    More recently we learned we probably won’t be growing old together.
    Now I am really hoping I might get him to write a letter to each of our sons on their wedding day and one to the grandchildren that may never know him.
    That’s my bucket list.

    Reply
  83. kkshirley11@gmail.com

    Thank you so much for my morning visit to Provence. I fly there on Friday evening! Your posting have taught me so much and I will be looking for letters as well as a menu to frame for my kitchen.
    Best, Linda

    Reply
  84. Beverly

    I am blessed by my 3 married daughters…. even the smallest gesture on my part, I receive a a handwritten card in the mail thanking me, with much love and blessing. And once upon crawling into bed one night, I felt this envelope under my pillow…upon opening it, it was from my daughter, beautifully written, thanking me for not only being her mother but her best friend too. Oh, if only more of life could be more like that!
    Computers and e-mail have advantages, but I hope we all can keep handwritten letters etc alive ….that carries something far deeper. My friend, a teacher in mid east USA, said they are no longer teaching cursive writng…computers are to be taught. Sad! Sounds like it will be up to the parents to teach it to their children!

    Reply
  85. Nancy Pleimann

    It has been a long, long time since I have gotten a letter or wrote a letter. I did get Birthday cards for my B day last week. That was nice. Most were hand made. I do save all my cards. I’m sure they will throw them away when I’m gone. So I’m going to take some of the cards with dates on them that are special and put them in a scrapbook.

    Reply
  86. La Contessa

    OH MY GOODNESS!We even wear the same color nailpolish!
    Of course, I would adore a letter from the 1700’s that YOU spied at the BROCANTE.How can you let 3 go?You are very generous indeed!If I can be so rude as to say the one from NAPLES would be GRAND as that is where the ITALIAN husband was born, or close by!Treasures all Treasures……….and you are a treasure.Loved the video!

    Reply
  87. La Contessa

    Opps, I didnot anwser the question!My last letter was about three years ago from a special dear dear friend in SOUTH AFRICA.She adored to write snail mail and it was always a treat for me.I even have a letter framed she sent to me on tissue paper as you see she worked in a clothing store and when it was quiet she would scibble away……..not one tear on the thin, thin tissue paper that we would use to wrap the clothing in!She has since past and gone to heaven.So, happy I framed it and now walk by it several times a day!

    Reply
  88. Kristin McNamara Freeman

    Dear Corey
    The last letter I received in the mailbox was on last Saturday, the 15th. I continue to write letters and send snail mail simply because the process of writing is one of my most treasured exercises. Writing on a keyboard is one aspect of my life’s journey and yet it is that pen to paper, soul sensations coming alive on the page as the words come pouring forth from my heart to the arm and down to the page that is my greatest joy each day.
    When I took boxes of “stuff” that needed sorting from my parent’s home as we readied it for sale not everything got a go through back in 1999. Last summer when I retired and came back to Montana I began to go through the boxes that had just traveled around with me and in a large manila envelope were postcards sent from Europe during World War II by my Uncle to his wife, my mother’s sister. Although I have not determined what all I will do with this marvelous collection, looking at the words, seeing the postmarks and knowing that in my hand is a piece of my family’s history is simply an amazingly wonderful feeling.
    Thanks for offering to make an opportunity for one of us to receive some of those mysterious, historical pieces of writing.
    Best to you,
    Kristin

    Reply
  89. Teri

    The last time I received a letter… hmm. Well, the kind that you like to read had to have been over 20 years ago from my best friend in another state. We write just like we talk, run on sentances and the like. The writing gets messier as the pages go on. The letters were fat in the envelope because of the number of pages. I loved them!

    Reply
  90. peggy braswell

    Be still my heart-I like anything with alphabet letters, writing, numbers + I think that is “a thing” with certain people(me) My last written letter was last year(from a cousin in Fla)-I will write a letter today! thank you for the reminder. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

    Reply
  91. Anjanette

    How wonderful this post, though all your posts are unique and very worth the visits I make to your “world” in the mornings.
    The last note I received was from my 5 yrs old niece, Keenan. A Hello Kitty sticker with a BIG I LOVE YOU in green pen with green hearts, accented with bunny, chick and egg stickers.
    I also received a thank you note from our friends 17 year old son who is working on personal issues and appreciated a care package I sent earlier in August.
    I have both on my personal board next to my desk and think of them fondly through the day.

    Reply
  92. Sharon Penney-Morrison

    Beautiful memories and expressions of love, sadness, birth of a baby, maybe a marriage?
    Whatever it was, the writer expressed how important communicating the new meant to her.
    My last letter was to my friend Dana, who lives in Utah. I sent her a pieced quilt I had finished, for her to quilt and sent my love and appreciation to her in the letter.
    I would love to have one of these letters.

    Reply
  93. Derrick Dodson

    I received my last letter a week ago. I have been writing for about a year now but been a slacker as of late with a move and life (little girl is in school now)
    Been perusing the site. Very nicely done..

    Reply
  94. Lisa

    Beautiful penmanship! Too bad no one writes letters these days.

    Reply
  95. Ann

    I have just opened a letter from my 91 year old mother, in it she tells me she has “paid for her funeral and walked to a ‘fish and chip’ shop to buy her supper!” not beautiful handwriting but the wobbly scrawl of an aged arthritic hand> it is recently we have broken a lifetimes silence – I will save her letters for my children who have chosen not to meet with her.
    The brocante letters look beautiful, as I am unable to read French I can imagine they are full of happy gossip. I love old writing, often I will buy an old book just to posess the handwritten words inside.
    I love your blog and the beautiful photographs you include.

    Reply
  96. Carolyn Vallelunga

    I know how one’s heart leaps in anticipation when a handwritten letter finds its way to your hand and once you are in that perfect moment and place that is when carefully, very, very carefully opened – you catch your breath for a brief second. You know what hand has made the folds in the paper. The hands you love and remember which may now be miles and miles from where you are – or from just nearby – either way – the page was touched by them. The ink was prepared especially for this letter and just the right writing implement to put to just the right paper. Carefully you unfold and look at every mark on that paper and your heart jumps at what is revealed…especially if it is someone who includes the word “Love”.
    Is there anything any better? I should think not! A bit of one’s heart and soul reaching out to yours. The final bliss is knowing that when you tuck it away in that special place it is there for your to relive at any time and all those initial feelings will come rushing back as you carefully remember when you gently lifted that wax seal and held your breath…
    That is what I would do, if I am so luck as to have been to receive one of the chosen letters you will be sharing – even if I don’t know what they are saying! (l0l)
    Thank you, Corey!
    P.S. I LOVE my yogurt pot. I should have gotten two more…oh well!

    Reply
  97. Teddee Grace

    A true letter letter? Years and years I’m afraid. My favorite uncle and I corresponded for many years when I was a child and teen as he traveled around the world in the Air Force. He was a marvelous letter writer and had beautiful penmanship and a wry sense of humor. Somewhere along the way, those letters were lost and he has since passed on. I would treasure any letter you might send.

    Reply
  98. Susan

    A letter?! I feel lucky if my children even send an email! A few months ago I did come across letters in a memory box from my grandmothers, both passed away long ago, and it brought back such wonderful memories and feelings of being loved, like a warm hug. I hope my children save letters from me in their memory boxes.
    Thanks for asking.

    Reply
  99. Ben@Bernhardt

    Wonderful designs. I’ve like the hard work you have put into the post.

    Reply
  100. Elizabeth

    Cursive is generally not taught in schools any more – we teach it at my school but that’s about it. 95% of schools no longer have it.

    Reply

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