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July 11, 2007
Back When Women Had No First Names
I spent yesterday evening in what is becoming one of my favorite places on earth- the Rose reading room of the New York Public Library. Lord knows why I did not discover the joys of working there earlier, though I suspect it had something to do with the library's unfortunate midtown location, which I loathe. My first stop last night was the manuscripts and archives division, where I had ordered a box of records earlier that day. I spent an hour or so reading about the history of a branch library on the Upper East Side, then got completely lost inside one folder that contained about seventy calling cards* from various well-to-do's, written in the early 1950's.
Now I am going to let you in on a secret. I love calling cards. I love personalized stationery. There is nothing that would make me happier than a simple card with my name and address engraved on it. That and maybe a house, but you get my point. I've never actually owned personalized stationery, unless you count the letterhead that I designed when I was seven on Harvard Graphics, or that rubber stamp that I had made about five years ago with my name and address so that I could label my books.
Of course, I probably wouldn't use my real name on these fancy cards. After sifting through a giant pile of notes embossed with names like "Mrs. Wallace P. Snugglebush," mine will just not do. Side note: I thought that women were actually allowed to use their own first names by the 1950's, though apparently simply being the Mrs. of Adolphus W. Buttersworth was still en vogue. Regardless, my personalized calling cards or stationery would have to look something like this:
But in all seriousness, one day I will be able to afford an engraved set of cards with my name on them. Hopefully by that point I will also have a permanent address that will last for more than two years.
*Calling cards as in paper cards with your name and address on them-- not pre-paid phone minutes. Doink.
Posted by callalillie at July 11, 2007 8:05 AM | Random
Please note this link:
http://ee.northsidesun.com/?haspdf=1
The thing is, I really like Mrs. Herman McKenzie's column--it's extremely well-written and although I don't know much about plants I like to read it. And, she got an updated picture that's much better than the previous one. But I wish I knew her name!
Posted by: gorjus at July 11, 2007 12:34 PM
I like the fact that I could go as Mrs. Alexis V. Robie and people would just think my name was Alexis. Maybe her name really is Herman. Short for Hermione.
Posted by: corie at July 11, 2007 1:05 PM
Yes, the no first name thing is hopelessly outdated and a little bit sexist (obvs) but I kind of like it. It's mysterious in the way that gloves and hats and indeed calling cards are. The way the past always is more glamourous than the present even if it was in reality just as mundane and inconvenient as life can be now. Also, I love that you wrote Doink. I haven't heard that since grade school. Talk about nostalgia!
Posted by: Marcia at July 11, 2007 3:53 PM
My mom always got mail addressed to her as Mrs. My Dad's First and Last Name. She likes it. I only send mail to her as Her First and Last Name. When I got married and didn't take Jeff's last name my parents started to mail me things addressed to Mrs. Jeff's First and Last Name. I think they think I'm going to change it eventually and maybe I will. However -- Jeff's family seems to have this thing about sending me things addressed to Mrs. CRAIGE Jeff's Last Name. Hello! I'm not a divorcee! That's what I always was taught was how to address a divorcee.
Posted by: craige at July 11, 2007 4:35 PM
I opted for the hyphenated last name, which has proven to be long and cumbersome, so I most just use my maiden name, then confuse people further by adding the hyphen-Robie later on. But because Lex and I operate with 2 last names, we often get mail from my parents addressed simply to "Trancho-Robie."
Posted by: corie at July 11, 2007 4:57 PM
I want calling cards too. Have you tried Moo cards? I have issues with my last name too. I wanted to be Lady Strathconn Pleasant, but I am sometimes Lady Strathconn, sometimes, Lady Strathconn-Pleasant, sometimes Lady Pleasant.
Posted by: Lady S at July 11, 2007 6:18 PM
I was upstairs in the art & architecture room yesterday afternoon
like two ships in the night
Posted by: jennella at July 11, 2007 11:43 PM
I find the no-name thing oddly romantic...
for custom made calling cards (which I adore) try Penny People : http://www.pennypeople.com/
Posted by: Asli at July 12, 2007 6:48 AM
I find the no-name thing oddly romantic...
for custom made calling cards (which I adore) try Penny People : http://www.pennypeople.com/
Posted by: Asli at July 12, 2007 6:48 AM
I have a hyphenated last night (thanks parents!) and have had it since before its been en vogue. When I was younger I would often actually have to explain the concept to people and I still sometimes come across someone who will who put an apostrophe where the hyphen should be. I don't know how do they not know what it is...then again I do live in Texas.
Posted by: Ris at July 12, 2007 11:11 AM
Another elegant, stately and original site for custom cards and other stationery needs:
WWW.Honorbaby.com
Posted by: Eemilie U. at July 12, 2007 11:36 AM
I changed my last name when I got married, partly because my husband's last name is much better than my maiden name (which happens to be phonetically the same as a common gynecological procedure).
I love the idea of calling cards for the cats!
Posted by: Janine at July 12, 2007 12:09 PM
I use calling cards. They come in very handy at times especially when you run into folks you haven't seen in a while.
Some cute ones from Barcelona:
http://www.i-yo.com/en/index.php
Posted by: brinx at July 15, 2007 10:53 AM
