The Washington times., 1905-01-17

Desk appointments, stationery, and
the fittings which smart folk find neces-
sery to letter writing, are being made
n grades of extravaganza unknown TO
our most extreme ideas few years ago
All the appurtenances upon the modern
writing table now must match, or at
least they must be of the same wood,
metal or leather s.
A distinctly attractive desk outfit is
being shown in morocco leather of
delicate violet hue notified in white.
Eleven pieces complete the set There
are rack for stationery, tiny gilt
clock in case having spring doors
which, when open, show a padded lining
OF white satin; also a twfne box,
stamp box mailing scale, an address
book lettered in violet and gilt edged,
calendar, a pen and ink tray, bletter,
and the desk cover itself, which is an
entire morocco skin dyed the same
dainty shade, and a fashionable sub
stitute for the co}ored blotting paper
pad. This set would be exceedingly ef-
fective in violet room SiXty-fve dol
lars is the price at which the violet set
is sold, for only one leather is more ex-
pensive than morocco, and that Is
levant, in which the finest books are
bound and which exceeds morocco only
slightly in popularity.
The high price of the violet morocco
need not deter a girl Of moderate means
from having a matched desk set If a lit
tie ingenuity Is brought TO bear on the
matter. Cheap sets of wood or metal
may be purchased and decorated at
home by covering them with cretonne
or sill TO match cne's room Girls VINO
have talent as amateur artists can
paint patterns upon linen or art canvas
and cover the set with these.
Engagement pads may be bought and
covered 20 correspond, and "a magazine
cover might be added to tEe fittings
The weighing scale. penwiper, stamp
pox and cord receptacle can all be
treated similarly, and a very pretty set
Will be the result OF nominal expense
Extra pieces for the desk set might
be added as, for instance, a book rack
covered TO match. and biotting pad,
the triangular corners of which might
be made TO correspond with the other
pieces by covering them.
Another pretty outfit which is to be
used with mission furniture is an arts
and crafts design in silver and enamel
on copper, with quaint shaped ink well
and calendar and paper rack 10 match.
Stationery In desks so fitted shows
marked changes. The reign of the square
envelope is said TO be at an end Only
the oblong shape is used for any sort
of correspondence, and these in the
larger sizes with a distinctly masculine
suggestion, are chosen by the daintiest
young women as faYorftes for letter
writing, while a smaller size does duty
for brief notes. Correspondence cards
are in good taste. though some people
object to their bulkiness. They are be
. ing shown with a silver edge and ones
monogram stamped in the same color
IN the middle. A pointed flap on all en-
yelcpes must be used # you would be
smart Sqpare flaps are net seen in the
best shops. Thin papers are not much
used except for foreign correspondence,
but tney are correct for such use
The quality used for wedding invita-
tions IS being cut into the proper sizes
for note and letter writing. Linen lawn
and organdie survive. buE are gradually
being forced out by the heavier grades,
which ate seen with a rough and some
times a smooth surface.
II is best to select a heavy paper in
a large size for letter writing Pro-
nounced colored paper is in very bad
taste, though blue and gray are s;ill per-
mitted. a aew shade is color:al yellow,
which viii probably be approved by
those who go in for things ultra
For mems use. the English bank note
or granite bond. is in best taste This is
very good looking If stamped in vermill-
ion.
The fad for stamping the back of let
ter paper still obtains, though it is rot
a matter of fashionable import One
may have the monogram or address
the back of the sheet began first in com
merciaI houses for convenience in copy
ing letters By many persons ii is be-
Heyed TO be much the easier way TO han
die and read correspondence
One may have monogram. paper for
writing TO ones intimates. and anoth-
er die with the address for more for
nal letters. A new, and pretty idea is
the Illuminated monogram, which is OF
course hand illuminated and costs about
nye cents sheet or more If additional
colors are used. Stamped in gold and
illuminated In two colors it gives very
beautiful result. and the illumination is
Gone by an artist, the colors being laid
on with a brush
There Is a free choice of stamping