A Gem – Vintage Brass Intaglio Document And Letter Sealing Set – Initial ‘A’ – Circa 1930s

Wonderful desk set containing wax sticks, tiny candle for melting the gold wax and the brass seal of the initial ‘A’, all in their original box. Box has age related wear and three of the five gold wax sticks are broken. However, it’s a lovely item which makes the mind wander back to days of old when all letters had to be sealed with wax. Of course, official documents are still formalised in this fashion. Instructions inside the lid read: ‘The Art Of Sealing A Letter – Do not begin by thrusting the end of the wax into the flame and conveying it in a flaming spatter to your envelope. Take plenty of time and hold the wax above the flame of the candle, but not near enough to burn; a burnt wax makes a streaky seal and is hard to manage. When the wax has gradually softened, apply it with a circular movement upon the place to be sealed, rub in around and down until you have a circle of proper size and thickness and apply the seal. The result will be a clear – cut impression’ L:14.5 x W:10cm