Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-01-24
FAsHToN.zBLE STATIONERY.
uHarper's Bazar-1

F.4SHIONABLE STATIONERY.
IHarpers Bazar-I
Thick heavy paper In English STYLES Is fash
ionable stationery for ladies. In preference to
the thin fiimsy French paper once in vogue.
The choice lies between smooth-woven paper
the rough-finished paper known to dealers as
''cold pressed" which shows rough surface
not pleasant for ladies who do not bear heavily
on their pens. Pure white paper is most gen.
orally liked, but there is fancy at present for
colored papers In quaint shades. such as light
violet, or Marshal Neil yellow, or else monde
girls clair, which is a fine French gray, and es-
pecially popular. The note or letter sheet folds
but once, doubling the page by making the
top and bottom meet, and e then FITS into
square envelope. This envelope and the sheet
within are OF modest dimensions rather than
the formidable size used by English ladies, who
write larger and more angular hand than
that adopted by their closest imitators in this
country. The monogram or crest marks both
paper and envelopes and may be plain white
embossed, or in blended colors. For mono
letters; the single initial of the family name,
once SO much used to mark stationery. is now
seldom seen. Gentlemen use rough paper of
thick, heavy quality, with what is technically
called "laid finish, that is, with ribs or reps.
This is of the good old-faShioned commercial
note size. which is to be folded in three layers.
to fit easily ia envelopes that are also called
commercial note size. Square envelopes are
not used by men OF fashion. What has been
said about monograms and heraldlc devices for
ladies holds good for gentlemen.
board occupy an important part in the sta
tionery Of ladies'. as they are used for short
notes, for regrets, acceptances, etc. These
yelled slightly to display the gilded or siIvered
edge. Sometimes they are prettily orna-
mented with Japanese letters in blended colors
spelling the days of the week; still others have
the address of the writer and her monogram in
white embossed letters or else in gay c5iorS
contlasted in a way that is very decorative.
These cards. or else small note sheets, are used
to accept or decline formal invitations, and
these should be In lady's own handwriting.
1t is considered very bad style to send an en-
graved regret or acceptance card, also to use
stereoptyped phrases in expressing ones regret
or pleasure. 1t is also necessary that when the
invitations request the favor OF an answer, the
reply be sent as soon as possible. Bythe-way
vous plaiD is being abandoned in exclusive cir
cles 1t being argued that the obligation to re-
turn an answer to an invitation should be un-
depstood by all Vel bred people without
Visiting cards are of unglazed Bristol-board,
with the name engraved in solid English script
The cards used by ladies are much larger than
the small English cards adopted by gentlemen.
The title, whether Mr., Mrs. or Mss must not
be omitted and the address, IL added, is now
placed in the lower right-hand corner. If
lady has special day In the week for receiving.
that day is also announced on her card, in the
corner opposite to that used for the address,
Invitations to entertainments are as plain and
simple as 1t is possible to make them. They
are wOrded in the simplest formula, and are en-
graved on small note sheets, or else on the
square cards described above as correspon-
dence cards. Ali snowy decorations In the
way Of gilded initials and monogramS are
avoided il a monogram or crest is used, it is
merely embossed, not cOlored, and Is only on
the note sheet. not on the envelope. Stately
old, time wording IS also liked SUCH las as Ike,
the "At home" announcement. The English
custom is adopted here of leaving blank space
in engraved invitations, and in this space the
hostess writes the guests name. This Is con-
sidered especially elegant for invitations to
dinners and luncheonS. For such parties the
square card is used, and the hostess keeps these
ready engraved, to be hlled in with name, date,
etc. Requests the pleasure Of your company"
is the phrase used on these and general invi-
tations, while cat home" is more used for
after wedding For the afternoon teas that
are now so fashionable the square card is used
with the name Of the hostess and perhaps That
of her daughters, below 1t. z1tis also special
compliment if the hosts name appears with
his wife's on invitations to teas The date, as
Thursday, February 81" with the words ''Tea
at four o'clock" are then engraved on the lett
site. Such card is also used for party In
which young lady is introduced into society.
The simple invitation for debutante's party
lately held in the most exclusive society Is
merely the name Of the parents, with the
young lady'S name beneath Then the hour
and date of reception are engraved on the left
side, and the address is on the lower right-hand
corner. The name Of the debutante is during
the first winter engraved also on her mothers
cards that announce her weekly receptions.
For large so1reeS and Germans small note
sheet is used. and the word German or
Sofree Musicale, or some other word describing
the proposed entertainment, follows the for
mula of invitation. There is no change In the
style Of wedding invitations since they were
last noted in the Bdz0r. The formula remains
as simple and condensed as possible, and the
whole invitation appears on small note sheet
that is to be folded double and fitted into
no figures must appear on this page, and here
the stately old English wording Is especially
appropriate, thus the honor of the guests pres
ence is requested or else, at home weddings,
where the ceremony is performed privately,
the invitations are to reception given by the
parents 'in honor of the marriage of their
daughter" etc. The cards sent out by newly
married pair announce their days Of receptions
as Thursdays in January" bear both names
When there has been no wedding, and this is
the first announcement of the marriage, the
brides card, bearing her maiden name, is in
closed.
Name cards for each plate and menus are
now most beautifully decorated The latest
fancy is to ornament dinner cards with O real
flower or leaf. attached to the card SO that it
can not be rubbed off. The fringed gentian, the
wild pink. spray of eglantine, or maiden
hair fern leaf is seen on each card: one corner
of the card is then turned down. These cards
are not usually square, but are cut diagonally
at the ends Any decoration in color on such
cards is done by hand when in the best style,
instead of being autographed