The Stationers Guild

I am delighted to report that I have learned from reliable sources that Mrs. John L. Strong will reopen shortly at their original address on Madison Avenue.   As many loyal patrons are no doubt aware, this esteemed stationer was forced to close its doors earlier this spring.   I was advised that a new and reinvigorated Mrs. John L. Strong will emerge shortly following the sale of the company to a new owner.

Sources close to transaction have informed me that “the new owner will, no doubt, be in contact with the customer base within a matter of weeks of reopening.  You can make an appropriate entry on your blog to this effect.”

Consider it done!

I have received several inquires regarding the whereabouts of personal engraving dies from loyal patrons of Mrs. John L. Strong. My advice to them is to wait until the new owner gets their feet on the ground. I am sure you will be contacted in the near future. If I receive any additional information, I will gladly pass it on.

This is very good news indeed when one of the icons of fine stationery and good taste is given another life to thrill and enchant those who admire great craftsmanship and the elegance of beautiful paper.

Richard W. May
Founding Member of the Stationers Guild

When I think of Crane – actually, Crane & Co. – I think of engraving.  I have visited their printing facility in North Adams, MA a couple of times and have always been fascinated by the artisans who create beautiful engraving dies and the craftspeople who use these dies to print Crane’s distinctive engraved stationery and custom  invitations.  Each year, I look forward to their their engraved  Christmas Tree which often  introduces their personalized holiday greeting card collection.  This year’s Classic Christmas Tree is just another example of Crane’s remarkable craftmaship:

Crane's Engraved Classic Christmas Tree

I think you will agree, that this year’s Christmas Tree is an outstanding example of Crane’s superior craftsmanship.  Each color on the greeting card requires a separate die.  Crane’s skilled printers must apply each color during a separate press run, careful to make sure that each color is  closely registered  to an adjacent color(s) to produce the finished design.   In this case, four separate press runs were required to produce this year’s colorful Classic Christmas Tree.

Peter Hopkins, Crane’s historian and Blogger, has made an instructional video that demonstrates the process of engraving.

Stationery, particularly fine stationery, is “touched” many times by skilled craftspeople.  The level of precision required to produce these beautiful holiday card designs is a tribute to Crane’s talented artisans and their love for fine paper.

For those of you wish to see Crane’s 2009 Holiday Card collection, please visit a stationery store in your neighborhood to discuss all of the customization features offered by Crane.

Several years ago when I was doing some research into the origins of exchanging Christmas greeting cards, I discovered that President Abraham Lincoln may have inspired the creation of the popular image of Santa Claus during the Civil War.   Famed political cartoonist, Thomas Nast, is credited with the creation of the Santa Claus by “taking a minor Central European folk saint, dimly recalled from his German childhood… coming down the chimney and shaking with joy… “   According to some long-lost hyperlink that has now faded into Internet oblivion, President Lincoln requested Thomas Nast to create a holiday figure to raise the morale of the Union troops during the Civil War. According to legend this was the birth of the now iconic Santa figure.

Recent “revisionist” history – probably closer to the truth – suggests that the image of Santa Claus evolved over time culminating in the classic Santa in a 1931  Coca Cola ad.

1931 Coca Cola Advertisement

Some have suggested that the popular Santa icon is a symbol of American materialism.  I prefer to view him as a belly-full of joy and excitement that fuels the energy of children of all ages during the holiday season.  Nevertheless, I might suggest that in this age of over-indulgence, a Diet Coke would be more appropriate for our collective waistlines.

While the popular Santa figure continues to grace many Christmas cards as this example from William Arthur’s latest holiday collection demonstrates,  I believe that holiday greeting cards featuring Santa have greatly diminished in recent years.

William Arthur Christmas Card

I have no idea if this trend is similar in other parts of the country, but clearly the celebration of Christmas and the holiday season has become distinctly less frivolous if this year’s selection of holiday greeting cards is any indication. While Santa greeting cards may not be quite as popular, the craftspeople and designers have been hard at work producing this year’s beautiful selection of Christmas cards, holiday greeting cards and stunning new photo cards.   Greeting cards and photo cards continue to be the perfect way to share your family’s news with friends this holiday season.

Visit a stationery store in your neighborhood to see this year’s selection of inspired Christmas cards and creative holiday greeting cards.  Better yet, act now and take advantage of many sales promotions for holiday cards.

Richard W. May
Therese Saint Clair

Sheila and I just received an autographed copy of Marjorie Maxfield’s delightful new book entitled The Write Stuff:  A Modern Guide to Personal Stationery & Weddings.  With accolades from Brian Lawrence of Encore Studios and Nancy Lowell Lashley of Lallie (among others), this short and entertaining book is an educational quick read for those interested in fine stationery and custom wedding invitations.  With etiquette and civility often overlooked in today’s wedding planning, The Write Stuff is a useful guide to help  bridal couples cope with the demands on their time and sensibilities.    The Write Stuff: A Modern Guide to Personal Stationery & Weddings may be purchased online for $19.95.  Found below is a recent interview with Marjorie on a Fox affiliate in Houston, Texas.

In The Write Stuff, Marjorie offers some practical and helpful advice with wit and charm to help plan a successful wedding.   With over 20 years experience in the stationery business and the former owner of Tanglewood Gifts and Stationery, in Houston, TX, Marjorie’s client list includes Presidents and First Ladies, astronauts, sports and rock legends and celebrities from literally all walks of life.  Now a professional guest speaker, Marjorie will be a featured guest speaker at Bridal Showcase productions in Baltimore, Richmond, Washington, D.C. and Denver in the coming months.

The twelve chapter book (excuse me, Twelve “Cantos” which in Latin is cantus and in Sanskrit means chapter) covers such topics as “e-business communiques,”  “the art of being remembered,” and “a modern guide to wedding stationery.”   One area that was certainly music to my ears was her section on “Stationery Stores are the Brides Best Friend.”    ”The staff will listen to your thoughts, understand your timetable, and translate your tastes into something beautiful and within your budget.  They will share with you their knowledge of wedding stationery and social etiquette, and basically guide your every choice.  The advantages of a stationery store?  Priceless. I promise.”  Marjorie said it far better than I could:  Maybe that is why she is on the speaking tour!

Cover of The Write Stuff

Marjorie is refeshingly hip and deftly moves between the traditional and what’s in vogue in wedding stationery etiquette without losing her balance or sense of humor.  Sophisticates from the Northeast might quibble at some of her etiquette suggestions, but The Write Stuff has been put together with grace and elegance and certainly deserves exposure in leading stationery stores throughout the US.

Thank you Marjorie for this precious contribution of “Wed-etiquette.”  Bridal couples can save themselves much angst and many wrong turns by purchasing Marjorie Maxfield’s The Write Stuff.

Sheila and Richard May
Therese Saint Clair

As those who have followed my Blog posts know, I have long felt that the resolution of  glossy or matte photographs developed in a photo store are generally superior to  imprinting digitally directly on card stock.    This should not be surprising, since these photographs use high-tech developing equipment under consistent printing conditions and are printed on papers that were specifically developed for this  process.  Digital photography, on the other hand,  is more complicated because of the far greater variety of monitor resolutions, printer settings, ink colors and the papers on which your photograph is printed.  Nevertheless, digital printing is quickly closing the gap and in some cases it may prove to be the best option for this year’s holiday photo card.

One firm whose printing  and designs have generated a strong response from early-bird holiday photo card shoppers  is Tag & Co.  Tag & Co. provides a variety of different design options for your photograph(s) on a simple but elegant card.  While the  size of the photograph digitally imprinted on the card is generally smaller than the standard 4″x 6″ photograph, the resolution of the photograph and the beautifully designed setting work together in great harmony.  Clearly, a lot of thought and technical precision has gone into these beautifully crafted holiday photo cards.

Tag & Co. Holiday Photo Card Sample

Tag &. Co. holiday photo cards are flat cards.  If you need to write a short message you can use the back of the card or enclose a newsletter.  In any event, the reproduction quality and Tag & Co. designs certainly make for an elegant photo card.

Tag &. Co. Holiday Photo Card

If you are looking for a quality Christmas photo card,  I would certainly recommend giving taking a look at Tag & Co.’s new holiday album.  As with all fine stationery and custom greeting cards, a visit to at Guild member store in your neighborhood is encouraged.

I came across an online news release entitled “Online Store Offers Savvy Brides Exclusive Wedding Invitations at Attractive Prices” published yesterday on a Reuters news feed.  The article self-promotes a website called AllMyInvites.com which claims to help savvy brides ”searching for the latest in modern, custom invitations at an affordable price point.”  Marketing Director Roxy Diba states that “All My Invites is not your everyday wedding website; type in the name and you will be wowed by the unique and expressive invitations that will set the mood for the most important day of your life.”

With all due respect to Ms. Diba’s opinion, All My Invites, is virtually identical to the plethora of dull and insipid online wedding invitation websites that populate cyberspace.  I find All My Invites designs no more “unique” and “expressive” than any of the 100 or more online wedding invitation websites that one can easily  find in a Google or Yahoo search.  If All My Invites is where “savvy” brides search for wedding invitations, then I must not understand the definition of savvy.  It’s funny, but the Internet has a curious way of  dispensing with common sense in exchange for self-promotion claims that rarely need to be substantiated.    If All My Invites is to be successful, it will need to compete on price and cost controls, since their designs do not dazzle.

While these may sound like harsh words, they reflect a growing concern that companies like All My Invites (and hundreds - if not thousands – of others) are dumbing down the public perception of quality papers, craftsmanship and superior design that define fine stationery.    In fact, collectively these companies are bringing the entire fine stationery industry into disrepute by insisting that “fast-food” invites are the equivalent of custom invitations, printed on quality paper.

One easy way (among many) for the “savvy” consumer to see if  websites have the proper credentials for your business is to visit the About Us page on their website.   The About Us page of All My Invites illustrates this point in spades.  It is always wise when buying online (particularly for custom invitations) to find out who you are working with.  Personally, I like to know the names of the owners, their experience in the industry and what makes them motivated to do what they are doing.  If that information is not plainly evident to you, I strongly recommend that you move on to the next online dealer.   Better yet, visit a qualified stationer in your neighborhood for real expertise.

 In the case of All My Invites, Ray Diba (related to Roxy? or are they the same person?) provides a most revealing introduction to the company. Nevertheless, what is Mr. Diba’s role in the company?  In fact, who owns the company?  Is it self-funded, owned by venture capitalists or, perhaps, it is just another Taylor Company slogging their recycled designs under a different label?   Mr. Diba states that he is a designer that worked for “companies worldwide”  on branding.   Is this qualification enough to design custom invitations, select fine papers and, most importantly, offer a variety of printing processes (i.e. engraving, letterpress).  Personally, I think not.  If Mr. Diba thinks that providing bridal couples with designs other than “blue circles” or “yellow linings” makes for “exclusive” wedding invitations, he has a lot to learn.   Most importantly, Mr. Diba has an overriding concern on price, “frivolous” candles and other wedding accouterments that he believes are not necessary for a wedding.  This acknowledgement is a sure recipe for a cheap invitation.  If you are a savvy bride, I would give All My Invites a pass.

What struck me odd in this revealing self-promotion is  Mr. Diba’s claim to have wanted to “strangle” himself for being exposed to the “most unattractive and gosh-awful designs” he had seen going from “shop to dreadful invite shop.”   I have no idea what “dreadful” shops he went to, but if he wishes to see truly “exclusive wedding invitations” at prices that reflect their craftmanship and design, then I would suggest that he drop by a Guild Member store in his neighborhood.    Perhaps, he might learn that there is more to crafting a custom invitation than Photoshop and a template-based website. 

Richard W. May
Therese Saint Clair

G. Lalo, the prestigious French stationer, has long been a favorite at Therese Saint Clair.  The elegant paper used by G. Lalo for its stationery is produced by Papierfabrik Schut in the Netherlands.  Papierfabrik is one of the most prestigious paper mills in Europe and is renown for his high quality writing papers, art papers  and currency paper.  G. Lalo’s  “verge paper” with transluscent lines still retains its classic European elegance and is instantly recognizable by discerning clients. 

G. Lalo Watermark in Verge Paper Style

G. Lalo is distributed by Exaclair, Inc. in the United States.    For the first time, G. Lalo has introduced a Wedding and Invitation album for personaliztion.  This is a great opportunity to expose G. Lalo papers to a wider range of users besides their loyal stationery clients.  G. Lalo is known for its bold colors, the laid finish of its stationery and its contrasting colors for papers, borders and envelopes.

G. Lalo Stationery

Louella Press is known for its stunning engraved invitations.    Featured regularly in leading wedding and fashion publications, the talented designers of Louella Press set a high standard for engraved wedding invitations and Bar and Bat Mitzvah invitations.   Now through the 13th of October, you can save 15% on all engraved custom invitations printed by Louella.

Louella Press Fall 2009 Engraved Invitation Promotion

If you have been sitting on the fence trying to decide how much you can afford to spend for that special wedding invitation or Bar or Bat Mitzvah invitation for your son or daughter, Louella has just made that decision that much easier.  Louella Press is clearly a leader in custom invitation design and you now have an affordable option to get the “top of the line” for engraved custom invitations.

Call now to schedule your appointment with a Guild Member store that carries Louella Press.

At the National Stationery Show in May, I had the opportunity to chat with Sugandha  Rosenhaft, the President and Creative Director for Arabella Papers.  The occasion of the meeting was to introduce Arabella’s new Custom Bar and Bat Mitzvah Invitation Album, scheduled to be released later in the summer.

Sugandha Rosenhaft of Arabella Papers

Sugandha, shown above with sample Bar/Bat Mitzvah invitations in the background, was justifiably excited about these substantial and attractively designed invitations.  For a stationer, there are few events more rewarding than working with a family to craft an invitation for their daughter’s or son’s Mitzvah.  The paper stock is substantial - often layered in an array of bold colors - and each invitation incorporates motifs, monograms or font styles that complement the color scheme of the invitation.

Sample Arabella Bat Mitzvah with Die-cut Flower

Arabella Papers, with its patented Bellpress printing method, truly outdid themselves with this stunning new album that we recevied last week.   I was most impressed with the contemporary and sharp new invitation designs as well as the large array of customization options. 

Sample Bar/Bat Mitzvah Invitations from Arabella Papers

While some of the customization features may seem overwhelming, Arabella Papers has greatly simplified the process with a clear and articulate explanation at the beginning of the Custom Bar and Bat Mitzvah album.  For instance, they show 6 basic invitation paper styles – including one circular invitation - that range in price from $5 to $16 (including envelope).   To the basic paper style can be added “upgrades,” such as a wallpapered back to the invitation, or “additions,” that range from liners to direction cards.  For those working on a budget (and who isn’t these days), this upfront explanation saves much time and anguish in sorting through the cost of specific customization options.

While Arabella Papers is rather new, they have left a strong imprint on the industry with their fresh new designs, bellpress printing process and a very responsive staff from their Atlanta facility.  If you are not familiar with Arabella Papers, I strongly suggest that you schedule an appointment with a Guild Member stationer that carries Arabella Papers. 

Richard W. May
Therese Saint Clair

I have been closely following the evolution of digital photography and its impact on the holiday photo card industry.  For the most part, I have been quite disappointed with the poor resolution of digital images, particularly those that are mass-produced by commercial printers.   Furthermore, the holiday designs and motifs that often frame the holiday photograph are generally quite pedestrian.  The end result is a holiday photo card that often resembles a business flyer that does little justice to your family photograph.

At this year’s National Stationery Show, I had the opportunity to chat with David Evans of William Arthur, a leading designer of holiday photo cards.  David explained that William Arthur planned to extend the options available to its loyal clients by offering the same classy designs regardless of whether one uses photo mounts or digital imprinting.  As the image below suggests, William Arthur has been remarkably successful in maintaining their traditional high design standards while providing their clients with an exciting new array of printing options.

Digital Holiday Photo Card and Card with Photo Mounts

William Arthur’s Holiday 2009 photo album is broken down into three broad sections:  Digital, Transitional and Traditional.  Sample designs in the Traditional section use photo mount adhesives to mount a 4″x 6″ photograph directly on the card stock.  Clients can choose from a variety of holiday greetings and personalize the photo card with their family names. 

Sample photo cards from the Transitional Section can be printed digitally or with photo adhesives to mount your photographs directly on the personalized greeting card.  William Arthur has done a remarkable job maintaining the elegance of the photo frame to showcase your photograph regardless of which printing method you select.  From a casual glance, it is often difficult to determine whether you are looking at a digital image or the actual photograph.  Clearly, William Arthur has invested a considerable amount of time and energy to maintain this high standard of excellence.

William Arthur Digital Holiday Photo Card

While William Arthur makes it rather easy to work with both printing options, digital printing is far more complex.  Specifically, most digital photographs need to be cropped and often need some minor editing (i.e. “red eye”).  Furthermore, since you are printing digitally, you are no longer restricted to a limited number of ink colors.  While the end result may be easier since you don’t need to mount the photos on the greeting card, the design options require careful consideration and a not insignifcant investment of your time.

William Arthur holiday photo cards are definitely worth a look if you value excellence in design and execution.  We strongly encourage you to visit a qualified stationer in your neighborhood who can walk you many design options available from William Arthur’s delightful 2009 holiday photo album.

Richard W. May
Founding Member Stationers Guild