Who are you and what do you do?
Welcome to the Dead Letter Office, staffed by Miss Beeton and Miss Wagner; artists, writers, stenographers and typists of considerable (albeit fading) fame. These indomitable dames are dedicated to instructing ladies and gentleman in the gentle art of letter writing. To this end, they are developing exemplars of the proper forms for letters of love, travel, courtesy, complaint, business, reproof, relationship, marriage, friendship, and many more, drawing on letter writing manuals from the 14th to 20th centuries. They are extremely committed to this task. While their demeanor is sometimes stern, as they are very strict about epistolary etiquette (the proper manners involved in writing a letter) they are ultimately kind, so do not be intimidated. They are savvy and extremely competent with new technology, and they use it all the time, but they are also very disapproving of it. They like small pearls of wisdom, meandering stories, and quirky observations (as long as these are expressed politely). They fear for the fate of the Dead Letter Office, and are doing the best to revive their industry.
Please note, the Dead Letter Office is sometimes called the ‘DLO’. We sincerely hope you do not find this confusing.
What services are offered at the Dead Letter Office?
Ladies and gentleman can showcase their letters on the DLO’s website, as long as they conform to the proper etiquette. These may be letters to Miss Beeton and Miss Wagner, or letters to others (friends, families, husbands, loved ones). Miss Beeton and Miss Wagner also offer a letter-writing service, so if there is a particular letter that you want written, but you don’t feel confident to do it, they can do it for you. This is a public service and no payment is required. Sometimes, Miss Beeton and Miss Wagner may write letters to you. You can request this, or they may do it without you having to ask.
How we contact the Dead Letter Office?
Please email inthedeadletteroffice@gmail.com with an explanation of who you are and what service you would like the DLO to provide (please see above. Bear in mind that tasks falling outside of the parameters outlined above will vex Miss Beeton and Miss Wagner and may lead to disciplinary action). In most cases, requests will be granted, and we guarantee that you will not be disappointed with the level of service provided by the DLO.
Can we meet Miss Beeton and Miss Wagner in person?
Why yes, you can. In fact, they would be most obliged. Miss Beeton and Miss Wagner will be appearing at the Banyule Council Lost Arts Festival on the weekend of August 28 and 29 2010, most likely at the Ivanhoe Library. There will be a short performance and a letter writing workshop. There will also be some rare and illuminating letters on display. The Dead Letter Office will publish further details as soon as they are available.
Dear gentile Ms Beaton and gracious Ms Wagner,
I submit my humble comments for your esteemed consideration.
Far be it for me to say, given the limited knowledge I have of activities involving cursive embellishment, but the idea you both have struck upon, namely, to revive and represent for us modern consumers the humble and creative art of correspondence is, quite lovely.
Given my enthusiasm for your endeavour, I felt the inclination to write to you of my enthusiasm. I have to say, your little initiative is infections.
I sincerely wish you both the utmost of success, and please feel free to write me of future excursions and happenings of the Dead Letter Office.
My warmest regards,
Sir Walter Really