Ava Grace's Closet: Ancesserie & A Giveaway
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Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Ancesserie & A Giveaway


I feel nothing short of honored to share this incredible, historical story and these beautiful products with you today.
Ancesserie, curators of fine letterpress goods, is a true labor of love.
Founder Lydia Derrick Wherry's family owns the oldest newspaper in South Carolina, The Edgefield Advertiser, and it was in the ancient library of letterpress plates that most of these were unearthed by Lydia.
 You can see ACTUAL photos of these findings on their website. Just incredible!
And, it is clear that she has only just begun to unearth many of the treasures that exist.
A veritable pot of gold. 

From their website: 


“Ancesserie” is Old French for ancestry. As a child growing up in Edgefield, SC, my mother would bring freshly-inked calling cards as her gift to a friend’s birthday party. Fresh off her father's printing press atThe Edgefield Advertiser, these cards were a unique gift and also an expression of one family’s role as journalists, documenting and celebrating life in their community. Calling cards are a long-held tradition dating back to the Victorian Era when visitors left a card to indicate they had “called” or stopped by. Today, including personalized cards with your gifts is as much about creativity as formality - especially for birthday, wedding, shower and graduation gifts. 

Letterpress is the earliest form of printing. Ancesserie’s line of stationery is all handcrafted using late 19th and early 20th century letterpress type and engravings belonging to the longest running newspaper in South Carolina, one that has been in my family for four generations! These images tell a story of when time stood still. Each card is thoughtfully designed using the finest selection of papers available that are both eco-friendly and ideal for letterpress. Ancesserie also creates custom notes, calling cards and coasters to order using your own imagination and custom plates. As is the nature of letterpress, each impression will have its own unique variation of ink coverage and depth of impression, creating a rich, exquisite note equally wonderful to the touch. 

I received a set of the the delicate "calling cards" above and think they would make a lovely gift for the new mom. 
The design idea was inspired by the actual layette gown Lydia's own mother brought her home from the hospital in. 
The tiny vintage mother of pearl button that adorns each card is just the same.
I can't stop admiring mine and if I'm being honest, I am not sure I will be able to give any away!

I envy such a rich history.
And I applaud Lydia for continuing this incredible tradition.
Oh! And for providing us with an equally incredible and generous giveaway.
Enter below for a chance to win a $100 gift card to Ancesserie. 

Open to U.S. residents only.
Best of luck! 


Disclosure: I received product from the organization at no charge for the purpose of this review and post. All opinions expressed are strictly my own. 

41 comments :

  1. I loved reading the message from their website. I love the oyster notecards..they are adorable.

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  2. Good Morning ... what a fabulous treasure ... as one who enjoys all things handwritten and loves sending letters and cards, this is such a great story. Thank you for introducing us to Ancesserie. Happy Tuesday..xo C. (HHL)

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  3. Everything is so beautiful! Great story...too bad Canadians couldn't enter.

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  4. loved the southern saying cards...too cute!

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  5. Everything is so beautiful, but I especially love the elephant note cards - I would get some for all my sisters.

    urchiken at gmail dot com

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  6. Dearest Susan,
    Looks like great paper for handwritten letters and cards. For me their is some missing information about the paper contents itself. Does she use cotton or what. She only mentions that it is eco-friendly...
    Hugs to you,
    Mariette

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    1. Sorry for writing 'their' instead of there...
      So glad you updated me on this lovely stationery being of 100% cotton!
      Did participate with pleasure.
      Hugs to you,
      Mariette

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    2. For everyone's info...Ancesserie uses 110 # weight, 100% {tree-free!} cotton paper. Yet another thing to love about this beautiful shop.

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  7. I would pick out some note cards if I won :)
    Beautiful work!
    Thanks for the opportunity :)

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  8. i thought the coasters with the dog on it were so sweet

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  9. I have a serious love affair with beautiful stationary. There are too many beautiful cards, not sure which I would choose.

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  10. Wow! They truly make some incredible work! And their attention to detail is astounding. I love them!

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  11. They are beautiful! It brings a little class into events that have turned a little mundane!

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  12. I love all of the items in the "gifts" section, so I'd choose what to buy from there if I won!

    Monica xo

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  13. They have beautiful things. I love anything that looks "Victorian" or old, and these definitely look older and gorgeous!

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  14. I would love to pick note card. Everything is gorgeous!

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  15. Those are so gorgeous! I'd love some kind of thank you card. I'm about to graduate college, so I should probably send some out :)

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  16. so delicate, yet classic. love these!

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  17. Hmm...that is a tough one!! Being that I'd have $100 to spend....I would buy a lot of goodies!! Like the enclosures: Petite Horse Head Cards; or how about the Horse head flat note cards!!

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  18. Totally the XO gift enclosure cards and probably some notepads, lots more too, I'm sure!

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  19. I like the dog notecards! :)

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  20. I have always loved the idea of calling cards! I'd definitely pick the Baby Button cards. I also love the Daffodil notecards!

    MJ Moore :)

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  21. I love the BABY BUTTON CALLING CARDS

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  22. These are so sweet. I would order something custom for my sister because she loves to throw tea parties. Maybe coasters, or calling cards!

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  23. I'd love new stationary!


    --Allie
    http://lunavida23.blogspot.com/

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  24. The fan light entry not cards are beautiful!

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  25. So sweet for all the litle notes you have to write as a new mom!

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  26. I would buy some calling cards.

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  27. I would get some of the note cards, but not sure which ones yet it's a tough choice!

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  28. I would choose the custom stationary

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  29. The calling cards I think. eclairre(AT)ymail(DOT)com

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  30. If your not a letter writer this will inspire you to become one.

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I love reading every last one. Thanks so much for stopping by our little blog. xo.