early modern letter-folding & sealing techniques

[tempestsarekind]

Via Twitter, I have discovered the existence of this MIT-based project called "Letterlocking," on the history of letter-writing and letter security:

http://techtv.mit.edu/collections/letterlocking

There are several videos that might be of interest to early modern peeps, including two based on letters of Donne's:

Letterlocking: John Donne's tuck and seal letter to Sir Nicholas Carew
http://techtv.mit.edu/collections/letterlocking/videos/31526-letterlocking-john-donne-s-tuck-and-seal-letter-to-sir-nicholas-carew

The John Donne Lock
http://techtv.mit.edu/collections/letterlocking/videos/31115-letterlocking-the-john-donne-lock

There's also a video called "Unlocking the Secrets of John Donne's Letters," but I haven't looked at that one yet:
http://techtv.mit.edu/collections/letterlocking/videos/31116-unlocking-the-secrets-of-john-donne-s-letters

I don't think I could have written letters in the Renaissance. I don't think I have enough spatial perception to fold them properly!