| Envelopes as we know them were unheard of | | | | meaning that the postage had already been paid, |
| until the mid 19th century. Prior to this period | | | | safe in the knowledge it would be delivered to the |
| envelopes were handmade or actually part of the | | | | recipient. The diamond shaped wrapper spread |
| letter. The letter would be folded in two and then | | | | across the globe and the foundations for the |
| a wax seal would be used. This involved a certain | | | | modern envelope as we know it were born. |
| colour of wax being mantled onto the point where | | | | The style of envelope has remained remarkably |
| the paper meets and then a distinctive seal would | | | | similar to the original diamond design and the |
| be stamped into the molten wax. | | | | major changes have been in the technical |
| The delivery of the folded letter with the wax | | | | manufacture of envelopes. Modern designs have |
| seal unbroken would ensure that the letter had | | | | very specific requirements in most developed |
| not been compromised, this was the first style of | | | | countries so machines are needed that can |
| envelope. As time progressed handmade | | | | produce to these standards. As with most things |
| envelopes were commonplace and then in 1845 | | | | there are international standard sizes and the |
| the first patent was passed for an envelope | | | | American standard sizes. |
| manufacturing machine. This revolutionised | | | | With contemporary postage it is essential that not |
| envelope production however the initial envelopes | | | | only the standard sizes of the envelopes are in |
| needed to be cut before being fed into the | | | | place, but that the envelopes are formatted |
| machine to form the rectangle design that would | | | | correctly with details. Due to the modern postal |
| be sealed by a paste. | | | | service using sorting machines the address details |
| The British government then took monopoly | | | | have to be entered in a standard place, in Russia |
| control of the postal service and introduced the | | | | they even provide boxes to write the relevant |
| diamond design envelope and the first adhesive | | | | numbers in so that they are ensured to be read. |
| stamp, the Penny Black. The initial envelope was | | | | Envelopes have undergone mass changes over |
| simply decorative wrapping and was a bit of a | | | | the years and they are still used for many |
| marketing gimmick with illustrations. These | | | | diverse purposes. The aerogram is an extremely |
| illustrations were not taken seriously and the line | | | | similar format to the older folded and sealed letter |
| was recalled and remade with a different set of | | | | whilst the Japanese use decorative envelopes to |
| illustrations. | | | | make bereavement offerings at funerals. |
| The usefulness of the wrapper, decorations aside | | | | Envelopes are available from a wide variety of |
| was realised by the British public as they could put | | | | providers online and in a massive array of styles. |
| the letter into the envelope then affix a stamp | | | | |