Three hundred years ago, before envelopes, passwords and security codes, writers often struggled to keep thoughts, cares and dreams expressed in their letters private. One popular way was to use a ...

Opening a letter may seem like a straightforward task, but that’s only in the age of mass-produced gummed envelopes, first invented in the 1830s. For hundreds of years before that, many people relied ...

A rare unopened example of a letterpacket with a paper lock. This locking mechanism was used since the 1500s, but until now, only opened and “unlocked” examples had been seen in archival collections.

Three hundred years ago, before envelopes, passwords and security codes, writers often struggled to keep thoughts, cares and dreams expressed in their letters private. One popular way was to use a ...