Envelopes 2 And Things

Unique Book, commercial wire binding comprising the envelopes of John Bennett (USA).  Some of his sendings are interspersed between the opened envelopes (including the days of swopping shopping lists...).  Other envelopes are partially opened to form pockets for his TLP's.  Book 2 in the series.

This book was inspired by Karl Friederick Hackers work MA Book Object - Edition Footura black – see: http://newalexandrianlibrary.blogspot.com/2019/10/ma-bookobject-edition-footura-black.html

Karl had opened some of his mail art envelopes, saddle stitched them in a cardboard cover and posted them to me as a Book Object. But, if I was going to use these envelopes to make a second envelope book, what would become of all the work sent? So I bound it all together – and SO happy it is.   John makes good use of his envelopes, using them as a whiteboard on which to scribble/stamp/draw some of his current ideas. 

So! Back to the history of envelopes…

Around 200BC, the Chinese developed the first envelope made from paper. But rather than messages, these simple protective wraps were used to send monetary gifts. At around the same time, wealthy Japanese men used early versions to send gifts to relatives after a death. Both the Chinese and Japanese versions at the time were believed to be rather crudely made by hand. For more information, you’ll have to read the book…