Page 30 - joa-nov-21

POSTAL SCALE changed and pre-gummed envelopes made it cheaper and easier to
send letters without a wax seal. Today, wax seals are not common in
everyday correspondence, but the tradition lives on and is still used for
formal invitations and special letters.

DESK LAMP

For centuries, desks were mostly lit by
candles. Then oil lamps were used and were
the most widespread method of illumination
until the end of the 18th century. Gas
lighting became more common at the
end of the 18th century and by the 19th
century, it was popular among the
middle class. However, it was
frowned upon in bedrooms due to
the unfortunate downsides of
choking fumes, smoke, blackened
walls, and the risk of the occasional
explosion. Finally, in the 1870s Thomas Edison and Sir Joseph
Swann invented the electric incandescent bulb which ultimately
led to modern electric lighting that we have in homes today. As
Antique Brass Postal Letter Scales And Weights c. 1920 households began to convert to electricity, they often had
photo: www.sellingantiques.co.uk
simple systems with a few overhead lights and some lamps.
Task lighting, such as desk lamps, began to come into
An antique postal scale may not come in handy on a day-to-day fashion. There are several common desk lamp styles
basis in the 21st century. In fact, most are sold as decorative items and including bankers’ lamps, piano lamps, gooseneck lamps,
are often engraved with the postage rates at the time they were made. Anglepoise, etc. Desk lamps are usually adjustable so
But there is no denying that they have a great look and add some style light can be focused directly onto the work area.
to a desk. Antique desk lamps are relatively easy to find in
working condition and come in styles that would fit
into any decor.
WAX STAMP

George Carwardine designed the Anglepoise lamp
in 1931 and his design has remained
largely unchanged for over 80 years

BONUS ITEM - WAX JACK

A wax jack is a device used to hold a taper of sealing wax intended
to create sealings on documents. The wax jack was first introduced in
1700. Before that time a simple taper was used in a loose ball. Despite
the resemblance to a candle, they were not used for illumination.
Although common in England and Europe, they were not used much
in North America.

British wax jack c. 1675
A collection of sterling silver Victorian and Art Nouveau wax stamps photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art
recently sold at auction for $2,500 photo: Freeman’s Auctions

An old worn piece of paper with a red wax seal is a classic image
most are familiar with from studying history or from movies and
literature. These types of wax seals became common in the Middle
Ages. It was during this time that monarchs, bishops, and other
powerful figures began using wax to press their personal seals onto
letters and documents to assure the recipient of their authenticity.
These seals came in the form of handheld signets or specially made
rings and the designs were unique to each individual. During this time,
illiteracy was common so some used seals in place of a signature. They
also provided security that letters had not been opened prior to delivery
if the seal was not broken. Wax seals became popular again in the
mid-19th century when postage rates made it cheaper to send a letter
without an envelope. By the mid-20th century postage rates had

28 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles