For Soldiers and Civilians
Beginning in the spring of 1861, publishers such as Hartford’s Car Bell and Boston’s James M. Whittemore began publishing patriotic envelopes with themes related to the American Civil War. Almost immediately consumers began to collect these envelopes. Bell marketed his envelopes as collectibles that would gain value and Whittemore sold envelope albums so consumers could easily collect and preserve them. Both companies used envelopes to advertise these specialized wares. Soldiers and civilians used these envelopes to mail letters as well.
