Forever Stamps 2018 Love Flourishes – Wedding Invitation, First-Class Postage

Issued:  January 18, 2018

First Day City:  Phoenix, AZ

Printed by:  Banknote Corporation of America

Method:  Offset

Format:  Pane of 20

The art of writing love letters has existed for hundreds of years.  Electronic messages are most common today, making handwritten notes even more special now than they have ever been.

People have expressed their love in different ways since the dawn of civilization.  When written communication first appeared, love letters soon followed.  From Ancient Egypt to Tudor England to Revolutionary America, countless examples of romantic messages have been discovered – including those between founding father John Adams and his wife, Abigail.

Over the years, as love letters became more popular, certain guidelines were developed to help one express their feelings.  These rules were followed especially close during the Victorian era.  Men customarily wrote their letters on plain paper while women’s letters could be more ornate, sometimes including ribbons, flowers, or a dab of perfume.  But both were encouraged to be sincere while not revealing too much of their affections.

Technology has led to a decline in handwritten communication, but love letters still remain.  Taking the time to write and mail messages shows true devotion.  These letters are an enduring symbol of commitment, thoughtfulness, and, of course, love.