This episode is the Pen Pal primer.  I followed this episode up with a more in-depth look at other letter writing societies: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1020967/episodes/7980349 http://www.penpalworld.com/ 2,300,000 members Easy to read Privacy policy Free and paid options Started in 1998 Mostly online  https://www.snailmailpenpals.net/ Snail mail Free Pretty long privacy statement  https://www.globalpenfriends.com/ Email and snail mail Start in 1995 Good privacy policy https://www.penpalsnow.com/ more of an online personal ad site for Pen Pals Does abide by EU Privacy Regulati ..read more

This episode is the wax seals primer.   Intaglio seals are cut into the surface of the matrix.  Intaglio seals are most commonly used for wax seals and create a design in raised relief in the wax.  Relief seals have designs that are above the surface of the matrix.  Relief seals are commonly set behind a piece of paper for embossing that also creates a raised relief design.  If a relief seal is used in wax it creates an impressed design more like a mold.   Catherine Craft Supply Dexter Rings Regnas Rings Letterlocking http://brienne.org/exhibit-4 http://letterlock ..read more

This is the Paper Primer. What is paper? A thin cellulose mesh   Rags Make Paper Paper Makes Money Money Makes Banks Banks Make Loans Loans Make Beggars Beggars Make Rags -----Anon. English 19th C.   What does it take to make paper?             Pulping             Machining -mesh forming             Drying             Finishing (sizing)   Washi fiber length 13-17 mm, naturally acid free Cotton 3-5 mm Wood pulp cellulose 2-7mm Begasse paper 1.2 mm    ..read more

This episode is the Ink Primer. The Pen Addict Anderson Pens Ink Tool Richard Binder’s website 3 Oysters Bungubox  Colorverse  Kobe KWZ Kyoto TAG  Namiki  PenBBS Penlux  Pilot  Platinum  Sailor  TWSBI  Taccia  Vinta Inks Robert Oster  Standard Bindery Van Dieman's Ink  Akkerman Blackstone Aurora  Callifolio Caran d'Ache  DeAtramentis Diamine Ferris Wheel Press Graf von Faber Castell  J Herbin  Kaweco  Lamy  Leonardo Officina Italiana  Montblanc Montegrappa  Organics Studio ..read more

Re-issue note: I listened through this episode in preparation for this re-issue and I was very pleased with how well it stood up to two years in the stationery world.  There were a (fortunately) few deletions and while there could have been a few additions, I will let this stand for now.  This re-issue now has the transcript and fits in with the current intro and outro.  Please let me know if I missed something big through our email at john at stationeryorbit dot com Start the Wayback Machine Mr. Peabody... This is the first of the primer episodes and I’ll be talking about pen ..read more

In today’s episode, we will be talking about good old fashioned letter writing, how it is good for your brain and my recent experience in going *gasp*... paperless. Postal Bulletin Webb Space telescope stampshttps://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2022/pb22603/html/info_003.htm Lagrange point https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagrange_point Post Office shut downshttps://bestlifeonline.com/usps-closing-post-offices-wildfire-news/ The power of the handwritten notehttps://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/workplace/why-handwritten-letters-and-cards-are-one-of-your-most-powerful-tools-20220720-p5b3aj St ..read more

 In today’s episode, we will be talking about how to fold paper will make the world better. Postal bulletin Pony Cars and as many California State Fair postmarks as your heart could desire https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2022/pb22602/html/info_007.htm USPS doubles EV order to 2 vehicles (jk) was 5K now 10K https://electrek.co/2022/07/20/us-postal-service-ev/ Industrial origami https://roboticsandautomationnews.com/2022/04/23/startup-uses-industrial-origami-technique-to-build-electric-motorbikes/50504/ https://www.yankodesign.com/2022/04/04/foldable-origami-cup-can-transform-int ..read more

 In today’s episode, we will be talking about how to improve your thinking through handwriting and letter writing. Postal Bulletin Buzz Lightyear stamps!! https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2022/pb22601/html/info_008.htm National Marine Sanctuaries Stamps Elephants Stamps Postmark for Hyattville Lions Club Ten Sleep, WY -Hello to Ten Sleep’s own Jalan Crossland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaNWJysic0I Handwriting and incubation of ideas.   https://observatory.tec.mx/edu-news/study-reveals-the-advantages-of-taking-notes-by-hand https://www.publicationcoach.com/become-a-better ..read more

 In today’s episode, we will be talking about letters we write to loved ones and new stuff hitting Kickstarter. New acquisitions? John bought another Mythic Pen, this one is in Brook’s Golden Rule, cannot wait to see it in person I can talk about the pens I got for my sister’s wedding, and what a ketubah is Stellios   Postal Bulletin Nancy Reagan (the stamp that should totally be laced with LSD) And Pete Seeger (I know there is a way of getting to more diametrically opposed individuals into this kind of proximity, but you’d have to work at it) Japan encouraging love letters (fr ..read more

 In today’s episode, we will be talking about getting the Postal Service into shape and shiny pens that you pretty much just get to look at. USPS Price Increase we missed two months ago:  Postal Bulletin Mariachi and Migratory Bird Hunting Underwhelming set of postmarks except the new Mariachi color postmark John Oliver Duck Stamps: That thing got a Hemi? The USPS Cargo Trikes Zebra Pressurized ballpoint (thanks to friend of the show, Vance) https://patents.google.com/patent/US3285228A/en  Midori for notebook of the year? I agree. The Kaweco Iridescent Pearl Fountain Pen ..read more