Old Fashioned Closings To Letters

[Sasha Royale]

Here's one nobody has written lately >>>>

 

Very truly yours,

Rembrandt

[htom]

http://web.archive.org/web/20090204134133/http://letterclosings.com/

[Paddler]

I make my letters to a form adopted from Rabelais' book introductions or apologies to the reader. The endings all take the form of an oath. I make a fresh one for each letter, geared to my personal circumstances at the time of writing. For example:

 

So saying, I remain thine in snow and rime, by the crank arbalest thighs of King Lent and the neocarballoy hammock of Procrustes,

 

MCR>

Abstractor of the Quintessence

Order of the Digital Grail

Edited March 7, 2012 by Paddler

[Quaysider]

I was taught to use and have always used, "Yours Sincerely" when addressing "Dear Sir" and "Yours Truly" when addressing "Dear Mr Smith". IOW always "Yours Truly" when your correspondent is known to you. Old school, sure, but senior (i.e. older) execs will mark your card.

 

I did once have a temp bring in an afternoon's dictation all closed "Yours etc Mr 'My Name'" on one line. Not a Pitman's girl, I think.

[Fabienne]

And this time I really mean it,

Fabienne

 

Unmarked bills, brown paper bag, got it?

Fabienne

 

Your little fiend,

Fabienne

Edited March 7, 2012 by Fabienne

[gcgrant]

A gentleman sent an email with the closing

 

IHW,

(first name, Last name)

 

What does IHW stand for?

[jjlax10]

I Humbly Wait?

[inkstainedruth]

Here's a site that does work

http://www.dragonbear.com/letters.html

Fare thee as well as I fare,

Dick D

 

That's someone in the SCA.

For SCA related correspondence (like sending in reservations to events) I tend to use "I remain your servant's and the Society's".

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[inkstainedruth]

And this time I really mean it,

Fabienne

 

Unmarked bills, brown paper bag, got it?

Fabienne

 

Your little fiend,

Fabienne

 

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[oob]

 

That's someone in the SCA.

For SCA related correspondence (like sending in reservations to events) I tend to use "I remain your servant's and the Society's".

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

That's rather similar to a valediction I've occasion to use. From an English-speaking Commonwealth citizen this is the correct, though somewhat anachronistic, form for an ambassador:

 

I have the honour to be, My Lord, Your Excellency's Most humble obedient servant,

 

I always find it amusing to use this in correspondence with an old school chum of mine who is an ambassador, someone I remember in short trousers.

 

[Kolagnostos]

I tend to be creative but also consider what correspondents have sent to me. If they are being very Cordial then they are letting me know where they are in the order of things. No need to scare them with my dry humor and creativity. If I see they are open and humorous then I'm free to have my way. *smile*

 

My druthers IS to be creative and adapt it to some of the subject matter of my letter.

Example: if I wrote something about the horrible time I had ringing up Christmas lights I might use: "Under a pile of twinkle," etc.

If I wrote about a great time I had on my in-line skates I might end with "Zoom Zoom!"

I prefer personal and relevant.

 

A go-to of mine is: "Keep Scribbling"

 

But if anyone is trying to stimulate the 'ol brainbox, these might help get it going:

 

Humbly yours,

Truly,

Sincerely,

Best,

Warmly,

Cheers,

Kind regards,

Always,

Best Wishes,

In Clover,

Blessings,

Carry on,

Devotedly,

Aloha,

Ever yours,

Madly,

Best Wishes,

Write when you can,

Many Thanks,

Godspeed,

Rock on,

Shalom,

More later,

Indebted,

Be well,

Kisses,

Hugs,

Eternally,

Write soon,

Praying for you,

Your friend,

Fondly,

Ciao,

Obediently

Respectfully,

Wholeheartedly,

Congratulations,

Cordially,

Affectionately,

Thinking of you,

Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow. (Shakespeare)

 

 

Spanish

Hasta la proxima, ('till the next time)

Felicidades, (congratulations)

Con Cariño (with affection)

 




Edited September 30, 2017 by Kol288

[PaganArcher]

I use one of two closings as a rule.

 

The first one is

 

Frith,

X

 

The second is

 

Fair skies above and the wind at your back,

X

[Minty]

I wish you well as always & don't squat by the campfire with your spurs on,

 

Yours truly, The Appalachian-American

 

​Don't start vast projects with half-vast ideas.

 

[Studio97]

Deleted post.

Edited October 9, 2017 by Studio97

[nigelg]

From a Dads Army episode:

 

Hoping this finds you as it leaves me,

Yours sincerely,

Private Walker

[Minty]

Drink upstream from the herd,

Sincerely yours,

The Appalachian-American

 

Don't start vast projects with half-vast ideas.

[PaulS]

quote from oob ..................... "I always find it amusing to use this in correspondence with an old school chum of mine who is an ambassador, someone I remember in short trousers.​"

Who knows, perhaps if he's somewhere hot then he's still wearing them:-)

 

going slightly off-topic and joining Quaysider with comments about the typist............... the lady had been given a customer's letter head and was asked to call them on the phone. Hearing nothing from her for some time, when asked why the delay she complained that despite dialling EST. 1891 repeatedly she was unable to make contact!

 

I don't recall seeing 'Yours faithfully' mentioned, so assume this one is permanently in vogue, and written so neatly and quickly in Pitman's.

[BayesianPrior]

 

I don't recall seeing 'Yours faithfully' mentioned, so assume this one is permanently in vogue, and written so neatly and quickly in Pitman's.

 

Something in the back of my mind tells me that 'Yours faithfully' is appropriate for a 'Dear Sir or Madam' letter, but when you know the recipient 'Yours sincerely' will suffice.

[carlos.q]

http://web.archive.org/web/20090204134133/http://letterclosings.com/

A bit more than five years late but thank you for this link!

[Goingbuddha]

Stay calm! Be brave! Wait for the signs! (The sign-off from the Dead Dog Café Comedy Hour)