Carolyne Roehm

A Thirst for Adventure, Spring 2008 >> The Art of the Handwritten Note >> The Art of the Hand-Written Note II

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On the contemporary end of the stationery spectrum, one can create a unique look so easily on the computer, and have so much fun in the process. Throughout my website I have shown numerous examples of different styles, fonts and color combinations for inspiration. As much as I adore my beautiful and extravagant stationery from the finest engravers in France and America, I admit that I love creating things on my computer as well. One does not replace the other; they are simply different approaches to expressing your individuality.

As the saying goes "it takes two to tango", and what is paper without a pen? Years ago I worked with the late Mark Hampton on a house in Colorado. I was so fascinated that Mark could express a visual idea by whipping out his broad-nib fountain pen to create a beautiful instant sketch. From that moment I was a convert to the fountain pen. They are so tactile, elegant, and extremely personal. I love the idea that a fountain pen represents a heritage and a link to writers and artists of the past. If one is not comfortable with a fountain pen there are fabulous roller pens with the identical look. Whatever one’s preference, a beautiful writing instrument is a mark of personal style. One will never achieve the look or the sensation with an inexpensive ballpoint.

On a very practical note I have found these fantastic roller pens called "Fleeting Thoughts". I don’t know about you, but half the time I have the pen but nothing to write on. This fabulous pen solves that problem: the top of the pen conceals two feet of paper inside -- just turn the top and the paper rolls out. Problem solved!!

“In an age like ours, which is not given to letter writing, we forget what an important part it used to play in people’s lives.”

Anatole Broyard

“Letters are among the most significant memorial a person can leave behind them”. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

What would our knowledge of history be like without the masses of letters written throughout time? Because of my interest in history I have two small collections that mean a great deal to me. One is 18th century French books and the other is autographs from 18th and 19th century historical figures, usually in the form of letters or decrees. I love these connections to another time when letters were written with quill and ink and some of these written by persons of historical importance have survived to our day.

Two examples from the 18th century (my favorite period) are shown here. One is a decree from Louis the XV of France to Madame de Pompadour; the other is a letter in the hand of that famous courtesan. I find it extraordinary that these papers were actually touched by and the words pondered by these people that I have read so much about.