The Handwritten Life (The Art of Letter Writing & Wax Seals)

Kathryn Hastings is an artist, a writer, and an antiquarian known for her luxury wax seals and her work reviving the art of correspondence for modern life.

As the founder of Kathryn Hastings & Co., she creates objects and rituals that carry handwritten letters into the present, not as nostalgia, but as a living practice of beauty, attention, and connection.

In The Handwritten Life: The Art of Letter Writing and Wax Seals, Kathryn explores the customs, archives, and emotional power of handwritten correspondence. Through personal stories, historical reflections, and images of antique and modern fine art seals, she invites readers to rediscover letter writing as a form of presence in an increasingly distracted world. Part practical guide and part meditation on beauty, memory, and leisure, the book offers an invitation to create a more intentional life through the enduring rituals of the handwritten word.

The Handwritten Life offers readers an intimate exploration into the art and craft of wax seals. In her book, Kathryn provides readers with:

• Kathryn's personal narratives about her life and self-discovery through stories of friendship, family, motherhood, creativity, and entrepreneurship
• Explanations and descriptions of the tools used with traditional handwritten letters, including wax seals, ètuis, and pennies
• Reflections on antique wax seals, etymology, literature, mythology, genealogy, and the history of handwritten letters
• Letter-writing exercises and self-reflection prompts for readers to explore their inner creativity, personal histories, and inspirations
• A comprehensive photo catalog of every Hastings Ètui Penny released to date
• Beautiful photographs and illustrations of antique and modern wax seals, ètuis, handwritten letters, paintings, and artwork