New Freebie Friday & Winners of Kate Spade Postcards

I'm running a little behind today, but wanted to send along congratulations to our two winners of a set of kate spade classic postcards: Retweeter @kimi_joy and blog commenter LydiaAndPugs! Please send your shipping addresses to peter.hopkins@comcast.net.

Here's this week's Freebie Friday special:

As the saying goes: "There's nothing like old money," and that couldn't be truer today because that's what I'm giving away. Crane's Old Money was introduced in the 1990s and remains one of my most favorite papers to this day. Unfortunately, it was discontinued several years ago. But the good news is I have some and you can have some too.

Crane's Old Money Mint is made with 30 percent post-consumer United States Currency and 70 percent recovered cotton fibers. It has a lovely sage-like hue and an excellent printing surface. The winner will receive a ream of 125 sheets of 8 1/2 by 11, 90-pound card stock. Imagine the business or social cards you can have made up at your local print shop. Or you can print them on your inkjet (not an all-in-one). Whether you're a banker, a broker or just plain broke and looking to make some green, Crane's Old Money is the perfect presentation of your personal brand.

I'm also tossing in 20 sheets of Old Money writing paper. So, if you would like to be the first on your block to  strut your stuff on Old Money, please leave a comment below to be entered in the drawing to be held next Thursday. If Old Money's not for you, pass along the opportunity to a friend.

Good Luck!

Which Item of Stationery Was Crane's 2009 Best-Seller?

I could tell you, but that wouldn't be much fun. So, I'll show you the six top-selling pieces of Crane's boxed stationery and see if you can put them in proper order, from 1 to 6. Here are the entries:

Crane's Ecru Resume Paper

Engraved Navy Thank You Notes

Pearl White Triple Paneled Place Cards

Regent Blue Bordered Ecru Notes

Engraved Six-Language Thank You Notes

Kid Finish Notes and Envelopes

Before we get to the rules, what do you see in these top-sellers?

I see a clear reflection of the times: 

• We're going back to the basics; back to solid ground (above are the little black dresses and navy blue blazers of the stationery world).
• We are thankful and aren't afraid to express ourselves. We may have fewer things for which to be thankful, so each occasion to say thanks is cherished.
• There are too many people looking for jobs. Those who are job-hunting recognize that presenting yourself to a prospective employer on 32-pound Crane's Kid Finish establishes the foundation for a memorable first impression.
• We're saving some money and enjoying the company of friends and family by entertaining at home.

As promised, here are the rules. Leave a comment to this post, putting the entries in order from 1-6. I will draw from all those with the correct answer. The winner will receive one box each of the top-sellers. The contest will end Wednesday, March 10 at midnight. I will announce the winner in a post next Thursday.

And don't forget, tomorrow is Freebie Friday, when I'll offer another chance to win Crane stationery.

Stationery Etiquette Mystery Needs Solving

My post yesterday, noting that even Twitter Wizard Ashton Kutcher uses personal stationery when the message is meaningful, has a short postscript noting the practice of crossing through one's name when writing a very personal note.

Here's an example from the slide show at Details Magazine showing congratulatory notes on their 10th anniversary:

I had never heard of this custom until queried by a writer recently. I have heard second- and third-hand that this is an indication that the note is of the most personal and respectful nature. I went to my go-to source - Google - and for once it was no help.

So, please help me and stationery-lovers everywhere learn the details of this custom. Original sources are welcome, as are stories from your childhood.

4.6 Million Twitter Followers, but Personal Stationery Makes The Lasting Impression

I was at the dentist's office today waiting for my appointment and leafing through the latest issue of Details Magazine. This is the magazine's 10th anniversary and one of the pages features a few congratulatory notes.

Last year, I pointed out that one of the icons of digital communication and social media - Facebook - turned to paper and fine letterpress printing to thank its advertisers. Here's a link to that beautiful presentation.

Back to the dentist's office and the magazine. I was very pleased to see who had written the first note on the page, as it provides further evidence of the power of the pen and fine stationery:

 

You will recall Ashton's recent race to the top of the Twitter world. Today, he has more Twitter followers than anyone in the world - 4.6 million!

But as you can see from the above, even Ashton Kutcher uses personalized stationery when the message is meant to be meaningful. It obviously was meaningful to Details. Other notes on the page are written by Jason Bateman, Daniel Radcliffe, Matthew McConoughey and, yes, even Adam Lambert.

Here's a link to a slide show of a couple of dozen congratulatory notes on personalized stationery. I imagine you will recognize a name or two.

P.S. In a few of the notes, you will see the person's name struck through at the top. That is to indicate the note is of the most personal nature.

With best regards,

Peter

P.P.S. I have no idea if these notes are on Crane stationery. It's none of my business one way or the other.

First Freebie Friday a Day Early

I am planning on giving away Crane stationery every week, with new offerings every Friday, but tomorrow is shaping up like I may not get my head above water, so let's start today. Plus, I just got through photographing these items for a major lifestyle magazine, so I'm ready to roll.

This week, I have two (2) boxes of the new classic kate postcards, designed by Kate Spade and printed on Crane's 100% cotton paper. Each box contains three (3) each of four (4) designs:

 

  

Here are the rules, such as they are. Leave a comment below and you will be entered into a drawing that will be held next Thursday, with the winner to be announced in next Friday's giveaway. And, for you Twitterers out there, follow @craneinsider and retweet the contest announcement to enter.

Good luck!