Always First Class: The Pleasure of Personal Letters

by Lois Barry

Lois Barry, award-winning Professor English and Writing, has assembled an intriguing miscellany of letter-writing history, facts, quotations and writing suggestions. Nearly 200 quotations celebrate letter writing from Lord Byron's classic assertion that "Letter writing is the only device for combining solitude with good company," to Kate Spade's modern appreciation, "It's uplifting to get a letter--like an 'ooh!' in your mail box." Marianne Moore's enthusiastic report, "I had a letter from Elisabeth [Bishop] a day or two ago, which I'm thinking of having tattooed on me ..." balances Anne Sexton's poignant relief, "I'm glad you wrote to me. I thought I had died or something," Ada Leverson cautions, "You don't know a woman until you have received a letter from her," while John Donne romantically declares "More than kisses, letters mingle souls." Chapters of quotations cover all aspects of writing letters, receiving letters, saving letters, appreciating letters, waiting for letters, love letters and more. "Always First Class" combines entertaining reminders of old-fashioned letter writing for 'those of a certain age' with persuasive suggestions that young technophiles explore this pleasantly 'retro' means of communication. Historical information ranges from the once-practical (On making "First, kill a goat") to the economic ( In 1673 when 50 cents a day was a living wage in the American colonies, it cost $3.50 to send a letter from New York to Philadelphia). In addition to an appreciation of letter writing and a history of the social changes necessary before private personal letters could be exchanged, three chapters focus on various occasions and myriad topics for writing letters from "Do you remember when we ... ?" to "Where do you think we'll be ten years from now?" Readers are encouraged to go beyond texting, tweeting and e-mail to write real letters once again, to connect with distant family and old friends in a deeply personal way. The book closes with an invitation to submit copies of treasured personal letters for a forthcoming collection, A Friendly Exchange, America's Personal Letters.

116 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always First Class: The Pleasure of Personal Letters by Lois Barry is about letter writing, not mail art, and is full to the brim with the most wonderful quotes!

It's uplifting to get a letter--like an 'ooh!' in your mailbox.
--Kate Spade

Everything is good, even having to write letters, because there are things one can write that one can't say just as there are things one can say that one can't write.
--May Sarton to Margaret Foote Hawley

I live a solitary life. My gregariousness is letters...
---Donald Hall

I write to my mother every day, and of course in a daily letter you end up telling everything--stories, dreams, recipes, family, politics and the world. I never read them again. When I sit down and write while thinking about someone, the writing is much easier.
----Isabel Allende
(who has written to her mother every day for thirty years)

[Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book should inspire you to get out a pen, some paper and write a letter. I especially enjoyed the history of mail delivery, very interesting.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis: "Lois Barry, award-winning Professor English and Writing, has assembled an intriguing miscellany of letter-writing history, facts, quotations and writing suggestions. Nearly 200 quotations celebrate letter writing from Lord Byron s classic assertion that Letter writing is the only device for combining solitude with good company, to Kate Spade s modern appreciation, It s uplifting to get a letter like an ooh! in your mail box. Marianne Moore s enthusiastic report, I had a letter from Elisabeth [Bishop] a day or two ago, which I m thinking of having tattooed on me balances Anne Sexton s poignant relief, I m glad you wrote to me. I thought I had died or something, Ada Leverson cautions, You don t know a woman until you have received a letter from her, while John Donne romantically declares More than kisses, letters mingle souls. Chapters of quotations cover all aspects of correspondence: writing letters, receiving letters, saving letters, appreciating letters, waiting for letters, love letters and more. "Always First Class" combines entertaining reminders of old-fashioned letter writing for those of a certain age with persuasive suggestions that young technophiles explore this pleasantly retro means of communication. Historical information ranges from the once-practical (On making vellum: First, kill a goat ) to the economic ( In 1673 when 50 cents a day was a living wage in the American colonies, it cost $3.50 to send a letter from New York to Philadelphia). In addition to an appreciation of letter writing and a history of the social changes necessary before private personal letters could be exchanged, three chapters focus on various occasions and myriad topics for writing letters from Do you remember when we to Where do you think we ll be ten years from now? Readers are encouraged to go beyond texting, tweeting and e-mail to write real letters once again, to connect with distant family and old friends in a deeply personal way. The book closes with an invitation to submit copies of treasured personal letters for a forthcoming collection, A Friendly Exchange, America s Personal Letters."

My Review: This book was a great book for people already in love with written correspondence. It has so many different quotes that can be used as inspiration or added to your own letters. I also like how it encouraged you to write the way that works for you, whether it is handwritten letters, typed letters or emails. I also loved the history of letters and delivery, I found that particularly interesting. This is a great book for lovers of correspondence to have on their shelves.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

has lots of great quotes about letter writing