09 May 2015

Temperance Envelope


Postcard sent by John (the UK). It says:
Temperance Envelope engraved and printed by J Valentine of Dundee, posted St. Andrew's on 11th February 1851.The design was based on William Hogarth's 'Gin Lane'. / A reduction from the original in the National Postal Museum, R M Phillips Collection, Vol. IX, P. 46
I had not heard about these Temperance Societies that appeared in the UK and the USA in the nineteenth century. calling for moderation in alcohol consuming (then advocating for legal prohibition).

They printed their own envelopes sold for 1 penny or half penny in order to supporting the societies. Then the buyers would use these for their letters.. Sadly, few of these have survived since most recipients threw the envelopes away even if they kept the letters.

6 comments:

  1. Nice envelope! And interesting. Also I hadn't heard of Temperance Societies before. Here in NL there was the 'Blauwe knoop' ('blue button') movement, about not drinking alcohol at all.
    I think it good to advertise temperance or abstination, as many people don't know the dangers of alcohol, not only regarding their own health, but also others (for instance the victims of alcohol-related car accidents or of violence when going out at night).

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    1. I wonder if this kind of initiatives could work nowadays.

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  2. What a fascinating envelope. The Temperance movement produced all sorts of memorabilia. I wonder how much of it survives.

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    1. I read in the London Postal Heritage Museum's site that sadly there are few envelopes that survived.

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  3. Anonymous12 May, 2015

    Interesting! This is also the first I've heard of this. Really beautiful envelope for a good cause!

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    1. It is nice that they made a postcard with the illustration.

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Thank you for coming. All your comments make me extremely happy.