Period Letters to Help Your Impression

[Tsalagidave]

Its the small details that really bring the realism to life. I think that personal letters really contribute to the impression. Remember that the vast majority of Americans were functionally literate. (source U.S. Census records, 1840-1870).
Here are some letters that  I have simulated for my own impression.

Thoughts anyone?

I did 2 different Pony Express east-bound covers.
The other is from a California competitor "The Pacific Express Co." (California division of Adam's Express)

[Tsalagidave]

Here is the other east-bound Pony Express cover.

[Tsalagidave]

Pacific Express cover

[Bugscuffle]

What was your starting point? Did you do all of that starting with a blank envelope or stationarty? If so, that's friggin FANTASTIC! The penmanship is beautiful. How about the stamps and such? Did you forge I mean copy those too?

[Tsalagidave]

Thanks Bugscuffle. I started from scratch with just paper. I measured original paper sizes for the stationery and I traced the envelopes off originals in my collection. The stamps are nice scans ( stamped "copy" on the back to comply with the US hobby protection act). I had to manufacture the rubber stamps and all the lithography is copied from originals. I wrote all the script myself using a steel tipped pen and a period ink mixture.

-Dave

[Major 2]

Some years ago, I ran across two original CW era envelopes , they were patriotic in design.
At the time, the original founder/ editor of Camp Chase Gazette , had an offer , if I sent them to him, he'd copy them and
and offered me 50 of each and my originals returned for my trouble.
He had several designs, and offered them through the Magazine. I'm pretty sure I still have a few left.

I carried one letter in my kit , for 1st. person, thanks Tsalagidave, you brought back a cool detail memory. 

[Tsalagidave]

Thanks for sharing Major. I'd like to see what those envelopes look like if they turn up.

Here are a few patriotic covers I've done. The top one is a parody of a Secessionist "Pirate" being lynched using a "Union 34 Pounder" as a counterweight.

The middle one is a typical Confederate "first national" complete with 1862 5cent green Jeff Davis stamps.

The third is a parody of the "Demonic" Southern states.

[Tsalagidave]

Here are a few others I did. The first is a typical patriotic cover with print stationery.

The next is a Confederate hardship letter. I made the envelope out of a discarded military invoice form. The paper is the remnants of an old yellow envelope similar to one in my collection. I used the juice from blackberries I just picked to write the words. I used molasses to attach the un-gummed CS issue stamps.

[Tsalagidave]

Here is a shot of the different stationary and personal forms that I have put together for use in my period writing kit.
There are also two typical gold rush covers. One is east bound by way of Nicaragua. The other is a local circulation from San Francisco to Marysville.

[Montana Slim]

Great ideas in this post, thnaks!...a backburner project I've had in mind a few years is to create a few basic form documents of the period, such as army discharge papers. Adding a few personal letters...maybe a will or property deed would be a great addition. I plan to get the cooperation of my "Mrs'" to do the penmanship, since her skills are ahead of me.

Slim

[Major 2]

Here they are...

[Tsalagidave]

They look fantastic Major. I miss the CCG. If those are repros, they are among the best I have ever seen.

-Dave

[Major 2]

yes those are the replics , the originals are a bit yellowed but in fine unused condition