Best Made Invention: Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland Postage Case

In addition to writing some of the best known classic English literature, Lewis Carroll (who’s birthday also happens to be today) was also an inventor. He invented numerous games involving words, language and logic, one of which was an early version of Scrabble. Often times being struck with inspiration in the middle of the night he invented a form of shorthand writing, along with an accompanying tablet, with which he was able to jot down ideas and thoughts without the aid of too much light. 

One of Mr. Carroll’s inventions in particular caught our attention. Invented in 1889, the Wonderland Postage Case consists of a simple envelope of stiff cardboard with various slots listing the various denominations of available stamps. Carroll’s intention with the Wonderland Stamp Case was to promote letter-writing (a worthy cause, we feel, even today) by way of inventing an easier, and more pleasurable, to use stamp case. Included with the Stamp Case at the time of purchase was a small treatise by Carroll himself called Eight or Nine Wise Words About Letter-Writing, which offers various thoughts on writing, receiving, and answering letters. For instance Mr Carroll recommends: “When you take your letters to the Post, carry them in your hand. If you put them in your pocket you will take a long country-walk (I speak from experience), passing the Post-Office twice, going and returning, and, when you get home, will find them still in your pocket.”

Not only is this amount of consideration towards correspondence refreshing in the current age of email and “txt spk”, but that same consideration is evident in the design and thoughtfulness of the Wonderland Stamp Case itself. The uniqueness of the illustrations, the clarity of the denominational markings, and even the portability, all reflect a deep connection with the act of letter-writing. Even with his obvious reverence for letter-writing Carroll saw it as an important act of daily life, and wished to inspire the same idea in others.

As we’ve mentioned before we find inspiration in all types of boxes and cases, and the Wonderland Postage Case is a shining example. Who knows, we may just start our very own letter-writing campaign.

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