Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Historical Letter Writing

The Townsends channel is one of the best historical resources available on YouTube.  The vast majority of their content doesn't really cross over into Propnomicon's areas of interest, focusing on colonial life in the 17th and 18th centuries.  Their videos about period cooking, clothing, and technology provide a great foundation for worldbuilding, but doesn't have much to do with propmaking.

 Until.. it does.

If you have any interest in historical letter writing I strongly recommend their latest video.  It's an absolutely treasure trove of information that touches on every single aspect of the subject.  That includes  details about choosing a quill and trimming it for use, the difference between laid and wove paper, ink formulations and use, the intricacies of using wax seals, and techniques for letter folding.  I found the discussion of wafer seals particularly interesting.  

Anyone intrigued at the idea of adding more epistolary elements to a tabletop RPG will find it invaluable.

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