18th Century Mail

Correspondence in the 18th Century

How did folks write? How did they make a quill pen? What did they use for ink? How did they seal their correspondence? All these questions and more are answered in this program. Visitors get a hands-on chance to write with a quill, fold it in an 18th-century style, and seal it with wax!

It then gets stamped with the Spanish and West Indies postal stamps in the period style.

On August 6, 1764, the "Correos Maritimos del Estado" (Government Maritime Mail service) was created by royal decree. This provided a monthly voyage between Spain and Cuba which by extension used naval ship with ports of call in Puerto Rico and Santo Domingo.

Folding the Letter

Learning to fold a letter like in the 18th Century

Writing 18thC

Writing with a quill was the method in the period

Signing a letter

Spanish Postal Stamps

These are replica stamps of the 18th C Spanish Postal System, Spain would send "packet" ships at the start of every month. The Correos Maritimos del Estado used these markings initially in Spain, but they were copied and used in the Colonies as well. "ESPANA, YSLAS, YNDIAS, DE YNDIAS and ISLA DE BARLOVENTO" Some were used until 1865

Support Doc (PDF)

Visitor Folding

Learning to fold your letter in the 18th century, we did not have envelopes, so the letter was folded in such a way as to create a "envelop" to provide some security.

Writing Desk

Stamps

It was the hot wax seal that ensured you letter was not opened and read by prying eyes. But much like lock

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