Eighteen-Seventy-Eight

Lux Lotus: On Legends & Letters

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:50:33 -0500

Some years ago, I did a favor for a psychic and she offered me an intuitive reading in return. I said I’d like it as soon as possible, as I’d received the most important letter. I was in the midst of an affair with a novelist and we’d parted, sadly, a week or so earlier. His short, to-the-point letter reiterated our difference of opinion and our shared hope that we might work it out. We never did, but I always remember the power of that paper, the stamp, my address written out, his signature affixed to his words, outweighing anything a fiber optic cable could deliver, no matter the speed.

Literature is filled with great epistolary exchanges. Perhaps the most famous is Dangerous Liaisons, told entirely through letters, but in terms of the sheer power of a single letter to revive a storyline, I’d have to go with Jane Austen’s Persuasion. The heroine spends the entire novel unsure, and then, with a single missive, it all comes together. I had to pull it off the shelf tonight to reread it, and the opening lines affected me just as they always have: I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone forever…

This past January, I resolved to write more letters, and with my Dempsey & Carroll engraved house stationery, made out to Emily Post’s 1922 specifications –– “Thin white paper, with monogram or address stamped in gray to match gray tissue lining of the envelope is for instance, in very best taste.” –– I have. I write them all out with a beautiful silver pen sent to me by an editor whom I greatly admire, but this one’s nice, too.

After a memorable party, evening, or any other occasion worth noting, it gives me great pleasure to dash off a note to a friend with gratitude for the gift of his or her time. One of my regular correspondents is the novelist Emma Straub, who wrote this year’s marvelous Laura Lamont’s Life in Pictures, about a small town girl who makes good in the Golden Age of Hollywood, and that’s just the beginning.

Emma has sent me many lovely notes for this or that, but one of my favorites came while she was on tour for her book, on hotel stationary from Los Angeles, with her room number charmingly noted as the return address.

Certain letters I can quote from memory, as in one of the only recently famous ones between Marlene Dietrich and Ernest Hemingway –– only ever said to be just friends –– came up at auction and were widely reported on. On June 19, 1950, 4 a.m., said he, “What do you really want to do for a life work? Break everybody’s heart for a dime? You could always break mine for a nickel and I’d bring the nickel.”

Like a swimming pool, the Letters of Noel Coward are irresistibly satisfying to dip into any time. Whether life is up, down, backward or forward, he finds the right words, even when it’s obvious that to do so requires extraordinary effort: BLUE HARBOUR, PORT MARIA, JAMAICA, WEST INDIES, 18th February 1965: “Let me hear from you. Just an ordinary love letter will do.”

Guest blogger Lauren Cerand

Dempsey & Carroll About Town

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:29:41 -0500

On December 4th, Hundred Stories Public Relations hosted a pop up shop in the Azure building located on 91st street and 1st avenue on the Upper East Side.

The event took place in the spectacular south penthouse that floats just above the Upper East Side skyline on the 34th floor. The night was busy with an abundance of fine goods such as Poochclub, GIR spatulas, Gracious Homes, Holly Hunt, and Daryle Preminger.

The finely curated luxury home goods were impossible to resist. Just ask Jen, who went home with 10 GIR spatulas — did you know that they are molded from a single piece of silicone and are heat resistant up to 464 degrees?

All in all, we had a blast and hope to participate in another event soon.

Invitation to High Tea

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:15:05 -0500

Mind you, I have never been invited to High Tea with Queen Elizabeth, but I would certainly like to receive an engraved invitation with the seal of the House of Windsor. Important occasions deserve fine invitations. You don’t have to be royalty to use engraved stationery.

In fact, fine stationery and custom invitations create a sense of excitement and anticipation that social media can’t match. Marshall McLuhan was correct when he stated that “The medium is the message.”

If you are planning a wedding, corporate event, or an important anniversary or birthday celebration, I recommend looking at the beautiful papers and delightful motifs of Dempsey & Carroll. Their engraved invitations and personalized stationery add a distinctive element of class to celebrate your event in style.

Don’t wait for an invitation from Queen Elizabeth, invite your friends for High Tea now!

Richard W. May
Therese Saint Clair

Fierce Dragons on STYLEBEAT

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 15:12:30 -0500

Our Opulent Gold Dragon made an appearance in this great post on STYLEBEAT: Call in the Dragons.

Says blogger Marisa Marcantonio:

“Expect a wild year said the Zodiac. With the Chinese Zodiac Year of The Dragon coming to a close soon, it is interesting to notice how many great dragon designs have been created anew. Fierce, respected, honored, feared and fictitious, the dragon inspires awe and brings good fortune. Why wouldn’t you want some fiery fabulousness in your home?”

Read the whole post here.

Daily Cup of Couture: Much Love for Monograms

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:17:05 -0500

Well darlings, for those of you who know me, understand that I have a slight love (almost madness!) for monograms. I have everything monogrammed from my Stubbs & Wootton slippers to my Pickard China. (The beautiful place setting still life to the left comes from Southern Living Magazine.)

I find that stationery is the most classic thing to include one’s monogram and Dempsey & Carroll has the most fabulous selection of custom engraved items! With their vast range of beautiful monograms, there is truly something for everyone. Now, the biggest question is how do I choose between correspondence cards, letter sheets, or folded notes? … Maybe I need them all!

P.S. You can work with one of our designers to create a truly custom monogram if you have a design in mind that you don’t find in our monogram selection. This monogram was inspired by a Rorschach ink blot and is one of my favorites.

Caitlin, thank you so much for your guest posts. You have been a dream to work with and we adore your taste and skill for curation. Come back again soon!

Mollie

Celebrate Democracy in Style

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 13:47:00 -0500

While many on the East Coast are still reeling from the death and destruction of Hurricane Sandy, life goes on. Citizens across the country will choose our next President and national, state and local government leaders today.

What better way to celebrate this year’s election than with this stunning engraved correspondence card by Dempsey & Carroll featuring the American flag.

Regardless of your political affiliation, this elegantly crafted and engraved card is most certain to pick up everyone’s spirit. Celebrate Election Day in style with engraved stationery. As paper pundits would say, “a hand-written note is worth a thousand tweets.”

Make your voice stand-out in this world of digital chatter with personalized stationery.

Richard W. May
Therese Saint Clair

P.S. Use code ELECTION2012 until November 30th for free shipping on www.dempseyandcarroll.com!

Our New York Originals Party

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:27:49 -0500

If there’s one thing New Yorker’s know how to do, it’s recover quickly and in style. This was on full display last Thursday night as we offered our neighbors a respite from the stress and chaos of Sandy.

Our New York Originals Event was an intimate, lovely neighborhood gathering celebrating New York for what it was, is and will be. Crisp Gala apples from upstate were served with New York cheddar cheese. We poured Big Apple Wine from Wolffer Estate and a couple selections from Millbrook Winery in the Hudson River Region.

The author of New York Originals, Jamie McDonald, made an appearance to send guests home with an autographed copy of his book paired with our New York Taxi Correspondence.

A Scrumptious Pumpkin Pairing

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 09:34:07 -0400

We’re relieved Sandy is behind us, so now we can get right back to enjoying the beautiful fall weather in Manhattan. It’ll take more than the biggest storm in a century to keep this city down.

I’m looking forward to the month ahead. Here’s a decadent pumpkin pairing that is perfect to share with those you love. The recipe comes courtesy of Some the Wiser, and you can find our Pumpkin Correspondence here!

Daily Cup of Couture: Soiree to Stationery

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 09:39:15 -0400

Darlings, as you already know, it is always appropriate to send a thoughtful thank-you note after someone has hosted you for any type of soiree! I am always of the mind that it is fun to match your note with the theme or decor of the fabulous fete. A tablescape I absolutely adore is one that incorporates classic ginger jars with lush hydrageas. For a fun and fizzy touch, it is perfect to serve the tiny bottles of Blue Pommery “Pop” Champagne.

The Dempsey & Carroll stationery which matches most perfectly with this type of soiree is the ever-classic and elegant Gold Bumble Bee Correspondence Card on beautiful Dempsey Blue. The peitit size of the card is just enough room for a short yet sincere thank-you.

And for those of you who may not have been on their best behavior, there are always these cheeky Dempsey & Carroll cards …

Dempsey & Carroll Goes South in a Good Way

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 11:15:29 -0400

We are especially thrilled to announce that New York’s favorite stationer is now offered at the unrivaled Paces Papers in Atlanta, Georgia. Their offerings are a pleasure to sift through; every item is carefully curated and the result is a store brimming with elegant surprises. New York should really be closer to Atlanta…

A Cuppa with Daily Cup of Couture: Fall Flavor

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 10:23:00 -0400

Darlings, I must admit that Fall is absolutely my favorite season for fashion and this year is no exception! This Fall I am utterly inspired by classic Equestrian style with hints of “Hermes” orange. I adore the juxtaposition of complementing timeless elements such as navy blazers and camel coats with just a hint of edge like leopard, feathers, and fur!

Photo credits from left to right: Boots & Hermes Boxes via House Beautiful Magazine / Navy Blazer & Valentino Rockstud Bag via Glamour.de / Valentino Rockstud Shoes via Olivia Palermo’s Photostream / Fur Collar Coat via Sartorial Girl

What is beyond fabulous is that Dempsey & Carroll offers the perfect correspondence cards to pair back with these Fall Fashion trends. I will certainly use these all season long! Remember darlings, there is nothing quite like snail mail!

And Now the Ampersand

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 10:21:00 -0400

“Even in its more basic modern form, the ampersand is far more than abbreviation. It also signifies permanence, not least to a professional partnership; Dean & Deluca are clearly in it for the long haul, as are Ben & Jerry’s, Marks & Spencer and the magazines House & Garden and Town & Country. But Simon and Garfunkel? No wonder they kept splitting up.“

Just My Type, by Simon Garfield

I love substituting the ampersand’s florid strokes for the pedestrian “and” when a design calls for added panache. Dempsey & Carroll wouldn’t be the same without it, so this quirky character holds a special place in our hearts.

The Dempsey & Carroll ampersand as it appears on the book “Happy Thoughts!” published over a hundred years ago. The image below is our ampersand in its current form.

The ampersand is originally attributed to Marcus Tiro from 63 B.C. who needed a shorthand abbreviation of the Latin ‘et,’ which means “and.” In many of its graphic iterations you can still discern these letters interlaced. The term “ampersand” was actually coined many years after the character was added to the English alphabet, and comes from combining the words “and per se and.”

As we approach our 135^th anniversary within the coming year, we can only aspire to the ampersand’s longevity.

1. Gold Ring, $96 / Solid Maple Butcher Block, $120 / Cast Iron Bookend, $200 / night at The Ampersand Hotel in London, GBP 182.75

Mollie Little

Our Knock-em-dead Spread in Martha Stewart

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:57:36 -0400

Love Notes mix by The Love List

Sat, 06 Oct 2012 10:25:11 -0400

There’s nothing like a love song, is there? Tale as old as time, no matter the generation, it’s the prevailing theme whenever someone sits down with a pen and an instrument - notes and words, in perfect harmony. Beak out a pen of your own and plug into this mix, a love note of your own may emerge. Happy fall, y’all. Time to snuggle up.

Check out the Spotify mix right here.

The surface of your desk is a canvas begging to be dressed. Keeping your office tidy will help...

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 09:02:55 -0400

The surface of your desk is a canvas begging to be dressed.

Keeping your office tidy will help keep your thoughts in order, and adding elegant and inspiring touches will help keep you motivated. The desk is as much an expression of personal style and taste as the jewelry around your neck.

We prefer to bedeck our work surfaces with glittering accessories that are as useful as they are beautiful. Avoid clutter and confusion with these stunning pieces of desk jewelry- each with a unique splash of decadence.1. Croc Pencil Cup, $65 / 2. Engraved 2013 Calendar, $125 / 3. The Giving Tree, $8 4. Gold Plated Tape Dispenser, $182 / 5. Classic Annello Gold Fountain Pen, $775 / 6. Gem Bookends, $950

Even the most modern approach to a workspace can be adorned with subtle, stunning details. Our Engraved Desk Calendar doesn’t require a boot up to be of use. A simple glance up will help you keep your days straight. Leave the task managing to your tablet.

The blog Simple Desks shows us how it’s done in their daily posts of orderly, serene desk surfaces. We added our Calendar with Easel to their image above, illustrating the touch of fancy it can bring without adding unnecessary clutter. We love how this sleek office design uses a touch of glitz and contrasting textures to brighten up.

How do you touch up your work space to make it truly yours? Show us in the comment section!

Mollie Little

Town & Country Weddings

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:34:52 -0400

Town & Country Wedding’s issue for the Fall/Winter season featured the invitation suite we created for the Rose-Lund Wedding in Washington, D. C.

It was a pleasure to create Kristen’s vision for a truly opulent invitation which was tied to the setting for her special day.

A Fine Fall Cocktail

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 09:45:05 -0400

One of my favorite things about living in the South is the gentile custom of cocktail hour. On certain Fridays in the fall, when the weather cools down just so, it’s great to sit out on your porch with a friend or two and jaw about the week behind you. Recently, at the store opening shindig that Billy Reid threw in Atlanta, I got acquainted with the gents that run American Spirit Whiskey, who were tending to the thirst of all Billy’s guests. It loos like a vodka, but drinks like a fine scotch… borderline moonshine, I call it — without the burn.

This stuff is smooth, delicious, and totally in a league of it’s own. To compare it to anything else does it a disservice, come to think of it. Here, the hired guns at Atlanta’s renowned H&F Bottle Shop mix it up with a little grenadine and grapefruit for a end-of-the-week refresher I’m proud to serve guests in my own home.

Lady Rosalynn, Timothy Faulkner, H&F Bottle Shop

1.5 oz American Spirit Whiskey

1.25 oz Dolin Blanc

.25 oz Grenadine

Dash Peychaud’s Bitters

Dash Lavender Spice Bitters

Stir over ice, strain into chilled Cocktail glass, garnish with Grapefruit twist.

Runway to (Stationery) Wardrobe

Sat, 15 Sep 2012 14:40:00 -0400

The looks flouncing down New York City runways this past week have been a truly inspiring parade. Translating your favorite trends for Spring 2013 into your papers is a fantastic way to sustain your personal style from closet to desk.

There are myriad ways to tailor your stationery wardrobe to be uniquely yours. Here are a few examples of the possibilities for customization using the springboard of some of my favorites pieces from New York’s Fashion Week.

Carolina Herrera shows us how to keep geometry spontaneous. Bordering just one side of a card is a sharp unconventional way to incorporate an accent color.

The tight patterns on the Hermes runway make a subtle and textural envelope lining. Our gray paper and slender card sizing keep it cool and masculine.

The bold black contours in this look by Rodarte were too reminiscent of an envelope’s shape for me to resist. Painting the edges of a gift enclosure envelope can achieve this dramatic affect, and the soft tissue lining provides appealing contrast.

To discuss all the ways you can customize your stationery wardrobe, contact one of our Correspondence Curators at info@dempseyandcarroll.com!

Peruse style.com to take a look back at all of the splendor of last week’s fashion fair.

Mollie Little,

Write Away in Traditional Home

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 18:23:03 -0400

The amazing Traditional Home has highlighted our Write Away Collection in their October issue. We are tickled pink, orange and blue!

The Pursuit of Stylish Stationery

Sat, 08 Sep 2012 12:22:51 -0400

Bombshell blog The Pursuit of Style used the brightly hand-bordered cards from our Write Away Collection in a post full of delicious stationery pairings. Take a look!