Monograms- a Brief History

I just love a good Monogram.

Such an interesting history- centuries ago, monograms was an indication of royalty. Among Romans and Greeks, monograms were printed on their money to pay homage to their leaders. It may come as no surprise then, that during the Victorian Era, monograms indicated a person's social class.
Later, artists began using their to monograms to sign their masterpieces.

Every more fascinating is Liz Aull's history from "Monograms: The Early Years," originally published by EMB Magazine:

Personal monograms on fabrics for individuals and families were originally invented to keep linens separate from those of other families on wash days, says Caroline Brackenridge, owner of Monogram Inc., a New York-based custom monogram business. Brackenridge says laundresses usually went to a stream or river together to wash clothes all at once, making it easy to mix up items between families.

Wealthy Americans believed that the sun in Holland and the West Indies was especially good for bleaching linens. They shipped them overseas to be “grassed” – laid on fields to be bleached, dried and sanitized – and often had as many as 10 dozen sets monogrammed because of the lengthy travel time and possibility of getting someone else’s instead of theirs back.

Flashforward to 2010 and monograms are everywhere. We here at Just the Thing are thrilled by our merchandise- from padfolios and travel mugs to a gift for the new addition to your family.

So be sure to visit She Chester soon and see what we have in store for you!

See you soon,
Mary