| THE EPISTOLARIAN |

When I was a child, my grandmother, Neenie, would take me to afternoon tea at The Ritz. I was far too young to know that jam was not meant to be stirred directly into one’s tea, but I made up for it with sheer enthusiasm. The oil paintings, the live piano, the polite clink of silverware against porcelain—it was my first glimpse of how a little ceremony could turn the ordinary into something extraordinary.

As I grew, tea quietly stitched itself into the fabric of my life. In high school, I sipped it in study hall with the solemnity of a scholar (or so I imagined). In college, my boss, who had spent years in Japan, gifted me a Japanese hot water heater, a gesture so thrilling that I would not stop talking about it... for weeks. (Francesca, my best friend, still teases me about it to this day). Wherever I traveled, tea became my compass: a pot shared with Angela in Dublin, plans for a workshop this spring where a proper tea service will, of course, make a guest appearance.

Tea has been the quiet constant in both my everyday rituals and my grander moments of celebration. And though I didn’t have an antique wax seal with a teapot on it, it felt almost inevitable that I would create one for the Hastings Étui—a small, stamped homage to the art of brewing beauty into daily life, a ritual that most likely won't change until death.

This two-sided penny juxtaposes the warmth of daily ritual with the depth of enduring commitment.

On one side, a classic teapot is accompanied by the inviting phrase, "Fancy a cuppa?"—a nod to the timeless act of sharing tea, fostering connection, and embracing moments of respite.

The reverse features a single bay leaf, inscribed with "je ne change qu'en mourant" ("I change only in death").In the language of flowers, the bay leaf signifies strength and unwavering loyalty, echoing the myth of Daphne, who was transformed into a laurel tree to preserve her essence.

Designed for the Hastings Étui, this penny serves as a tangible reminder of the enduring bonds we cherish and the simple gestures that sustain them.

The Pride and Prejudice Seal

This special edition seal evokes the moment when pride gives way to love, when language becomes a bridge between two stubborn, imperfect hearts. This larger-format seal holds one of the most unforgettable confessions in English literature:

"You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."

Not abbreviated. Not rushed. Just as Austen wrote it — full of formality, vulnerability, and overwhelming feeling.

There are six seals remaining for the collector's register.

Color of the Week: Laurel

In ancient mythology, the bay laurel was more than just a tree — it was a symbol of resilience, honor, and quiet triumph.
The story begins with Daphne, the beautiful nymph of Greek lore (known later as Laurel in Roman mythology). Pursued relentlessly by Apollo, she refused to yield and prayed for deliverance. The gods answered by transforming her into a laurel tree, not a defeat, but a transfiguration. From that day forward, Apollo cherished the laurel, crowning poets and victors alike with its leaves.

The laurel became a living symbol of honor, distinction, and enduring strength — victory not seized by force, but achieved through transformation.

Inspired by this myth, I created a sealing wax in the shade of laurel green: a rich, vibrant color that carries the spirit of growth, prosperity, and elegant resilience.

It’s a color that feels at once ancient and alive, adding a quiet gravitas to any letter, invitation, or note of significance.